Clayton County Board of Health Director Alpha Fowler Bryan (second from right), explains "The Locker Room" male clinic concept to visitors during the clinic's grand opening. Photo by Curt Yeomans

Getting fathers, brothers or significant others to take their health seriously may be easier, thanks to the Clayton County Board of Health.

The board's newest male health initiative, The Locker Room, began serving males between the ages of 11 and 45 in April.

"Our goal in launching The Locker Room is to provide an inviting, familiar atmosphere for men interested in receiving and in need of health department services," said Alpha Fowler Bryan, M.D., district health director.

The sports-themed space, filled with actual lockers, sports equipment and professional jerseys, is  a reception area where visitors are greeted by a health coach - a male health educator - who guides them through the process of receiving services at the Clayton County Board of Health. Once finished, visitors reconvene in The Locker Room with the health coach to receive their health score card and parting gift: an assortment of products such as shaving cream, razors, deodorant and condoms.

Males can receive various physical assessments such as height, weight and cholesterol checks, and heart, lung and thyroid evaluations Testing for sexually transmitted infections and HIV is available, as well as self-examination instructions for testicular cancer and other male health issues. Patient referrals are given if necessary.

Joel Hall, public information officer and communications coordinator for the Clayton County Board of Health, said The Locker Room is one of a few initiatives designed to reach males.

"We have been and are continuing to reach out to men, particularly young men, through our existing teen and male outreach programs, such as Clayton Can Soar to the Top [a teen pregnancy prevention/mentoring program] and our regular visits to local barbershops, where we share reproductive health information," Hall said.

Through a combination of health education and health promotion, the Clayton County Board of Health's Male Health Initiative has continually worked to break down barriers that prevent males from seeking medical treatment, such as pride, poor habits, high-risk behaviors and the absence of health resources and information geared toward men.

For more information about The Locker Room, contact Joel Hall at (678) 610-7424 or joelhall@dhr.state.ga.us.

-Story by Nicole Price, DPH Communications