By: Najla Alexander
Hi there, RLS Metro Media friends & family, Najla here! I hope everyone is hanging in there as the weather slowly starts to warm up!
As Black History Month is unfortunately ending, I wanted to highlight an important subject not talked about enough in the Black community: Health, specifically men’s health. In the Black community, there are too many concerns about the disparities regarding men’s health that often lead to a rise in unchecked medical conditions. It is felt in the community that there are hardly enough resources to go to where men can feel like their needs are not only heard but met.
Growing up with a Black father, I always wondered why he was so hesitant about going to the doctors, and when talking with my other friends with fathers, they said the same thing. There was this hesitation and almost fear of getting sick or anything affecting their health that would force them to go to the doctor, but why be so afraid?
Years later, my dad finally told me about the stories he heard about how Black men weren’t listened to when it came to their health, which caused many not to be adequately treated or even die from their condition. All because there are racial disparities regarding their health in the community. That fear puts such a hold on many, causing them not to go out and gain access to resources where they can be adequately treated and listened to about their condition.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Black men tend to have higher rates of chronic illnesses compared to their white counterparts. They are more likely to die from such conditions as hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease. This is due to the disparities Black men face, especially the high rate of deaths from lack of access to preventive care and the racial bias in medical treatment, on top of any challenges they may face in gaining access to the necessary resources to see a medical professional.
However, from what I have seen over time, that is not the story for communities like the one in Shrewsbury, NJ. The community in Shrewsbury has one particular Doctor’s office that made it a point to have accessible resources regarding men’s health, especially minority health, so Black men can feel heard. Doctor’s offices like the one at Urology Associates have put the necessary resources out there for their community so that every man can regain control of their health.
On Wednesday night, February 26, at 6 p.m., Urology Associated hosted a FREE men’s health seminar with over 40 who registered. The renowned Dr. Samuel G. Aly discussed the effective treatment options for erectile dysfunction and bladder leakage, and gave those who were in attendance some real insight into better helping maintain their health with certain conditions that can come on over the years or with old age.
“The seminar specifically targeted erectile dysfunction and incontinence. The more information, the more awareness that gets out there,” Dr. Aly exclaimed.
Though a young doctor, Dr. Aly received his Doctorate of Medicine from Rutgers Medical School and completed his surgical & urologic residency there in 2020. He also has received numerous honors, including the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha award, and has multiple publications in genital reconstruction, oncology, male sexual medicine, penile prosthesis, and robotic procedures. As well as privileges at Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank, NJ.
Urology Associates, located at 595 Shrewsbury Ave, Ste. 103 Shrewsbury, NJ, in the Monmouth County area, is a practice that was established over 50 years ago, according to officials. They chose to focus on patient-centered care and build strong relationships with their medical neighbors for decades to help provide continuity between them and your other healthcare providers.
“Once men reach the age of 50, prostate health is important to look out for. It’s the most common diagnosis of cancer in men,” Dr. Aly stated.
Urology Associates offers many services, and takes various types of insurance. For instance, the kinds of conditions treated consist of:
-Bladder Stones
-Bladder cancer
-Botox for OAB
-Infertility
-Kidney stones
-Prostate cancer
-Kidney or renal failure
-Sexual dysfunction
-Urinary incontinence
-Urinary tract infections
-Vasectomy
If you are a man concerned about any of the listed health issues, visit Urology Associates to help regain control of your health. Make sure that you have any one of these insurances listed:
-Aetna
-Amerihealth
-BCBS
-Cigna
-GHI (PPO)
-Humana
-Magnacare
-Medicare
-Multiplan
-Tricare
“Men’s health is underserved, especially in the African-American community, so resources like this seminar are a good way for them and all men to have an opportunity to learn more,” Dr. Aly explained.
Dr. Aly, along with Dr. Michael Bickerton, Dr. Arthur Christiano, Dr. Robert Paul Bonitz Jr., Nancy Martinez R.N., and the fantastic team of medical staff/ assistants, can provide resources for their community regarding men’s health. This seminar is one of many that provide essential information and a guiding hand to aid in their health.
For more resources and information from seminars like this, patients can register for runs/walks in September for Prostate Cancer Awareness Month awareness! Check out their site to subscribe to their email mailing list to keep you updated. They look forward to welcoming you to the Urology Associates family!
The many challenges the Black community faces are having access to and the right resources to care for their health the way they should. In 2025, men or anyone shouldn't be worried about their health as so much more is happening worldwide. Still, if more places like Urology Associates held these free seminars and events throughout the year to truly engage with the community, it would make a difference!
Thank you, RLS Metro Media family, for always listening. This month is important to remind our communities that we must always come together. Whether for our health or to protect our education, every fight matters. Hope you had a fantastic rest of Black History Month!