AARP and The Links Team Up for “My Hair, My Health, My Wealth” Event in Oakland, November 9th

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 23, 2013

CONTACT:
Charee Gillins, AARP
(626) 585-2606
cgillins@aarp.org
Twitter: @ChareeGillins

AARP and The Links Team Up for “My Hair, My Health, My Wealth” Event
in Oakland, November 9th

Community Event Aimed at Empowering African American Women to Take Charge of their Health
and Financial Future

San Francisco, CA - AARP, in collaboration with The Links, Incorporated Chapters of the Bay Area, have teamed up to host “ My Hair, My Health, My Wealth” on November 9 (10am-2pm) at Preservation Park in Oakland, CA.  This community event is free and will equip African American women with the tools and resources they need to love their hair, their health and their finances.

To emphasize the importance of these issues, “My Hair, My Health, My Wealth” will feature a fun and interactive panel discussion with hair stylists, fitness trainers and health and financial professionals.  Attendees will also get the facts about the health care law ( www.healthlawanswers.org) and tools and information on effectively saving for retirement ( www.aarp.org/readyforretirement).

This free one-day event demonstrates AARP’s commitment to helping the Bay Area’s 45+ community plan for and live a more financially secure and healthy life both before and after retirement.

AARP research has highlighted that a barrier for many Black women aged 45+ increasing their level of physical activity is their concern about what happens to their hair when they exercise.  Many African American women avoid physical activity that makes them perspire because it gets their hair wet, which ruins their hairdo.

77% percent of black women are overweight and 49% are obese.  As a result, many black women suffer higher rates of chronic illness, such as diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease, than the US population overall.

Attendees will also participate in a live demo of low-impact physical fitness routines, win raffle prizes and leave with resourceful information.

Registration (required) is at: 1-877-926-8300 or htttp://aarp.cvent.com/MHHW.

Complimentary lunch and self-parking will be provided.

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of more than 37 million, that helps people turn their goals and dreams into real possibilities, strengthens communities and fights for the issues that matter most to families such as healthcare, employment and income security, retirement planning, affordable utilities and protection from financial abuse. We advocate for individuals in the marketplace by selecting products and services of high quality and value to carry the AARP name as well as help our members obtain discounts on a wide range of products, travel, and services.  A trusted source for lifestyle tips, news and educational information, AARP produces AARP The Magazine, the world's largest circulation magazine; AARP Bulletin; www.aarp.org; AARP TV & Radio; AARP Books; and AARP en Español, a Spanish-language website addressing the interests and needs of Hispanics. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to political campaigns or candidates.  The AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. AARP has staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Learn more at www.aarp.org.

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