A barbershop may not be the first place that comes to mind when thinking about healthcare, but familiar surroundings and trusted relationships can make it easier for people to ask questions, understand health information and take the next step towards care.
In the second film in our It Takes a Village series, we meet Dr John Gregory, co-founder of the African American Male Wellness Agency (AAMWA). Gregory explains how bringing health conversations and services into trusted community spaces can help reach people where they already are.
Where shaving meets screening
AAMWA is one of four organizations working with Novartis through its Inclusive Health Accelerator (IHA) model in the US. Launched in 2026, the initiative focuses initially on helping address gaps in breast and prostate cancer care in communities facing barriers to healthcare in New York, Los Angeles, Detroit, Houston and Baltimore.
The AAMWA is dedicated to reducing health disparities and combating chronic diseases and works with partners such as Novartis to reach people with information, screening and support. Together, Novartis and AAMWA are supporting community health activities designed to meet people where they are, whether in barbershops or at wider community events.
The partnership aims to bring together health information, screening opportunities and support to help people take the next step towards care. By working through trusted community spaces and relationships, AAMWA helps make health information easier to understand and connects people with screening and follow-up support.
For Gregory, it means being part of the community, listening to what matters locally and ensuring that people have a voice in the decisions that affect their health.
“You have to take the conversations to places where people are. People aren’t going to hospitals to get information, but you can take the clinic to the community. A trusted community space makes it easier to talk about health because it’s a familiar space, a familiar conversation and a trusted environment.”
Dr. John Gregory, co-founder of the African American Male Wellness Agency (AAMWA)
“Meaningful progress in community health depends on bringing together the strengths of communities, health systems, policymakers, healthcare professionals and industry. When we combine clinical expertise with local knowledge and trusted community relationships, we can help create pathways to care that reach people earlier and support solutions designed to be sustainable, scalable and responsive to local needs.”
Elizabeth McGee, Global Head of Inclusive Health Accelerators, Community Impact & Partnerships, Novartis
