Re: "The Black Man's Country Club": Assessing the Feasibility of an HIV Risk-Reduction Program for Young Heterosexual African American Men in Barbershops

Dr Lancaster,

I read with interest the article on the feasibility of an HIV risk-reduction program for young heterosexual African American men in barbershops.1 I commend the authors for exploring possible nontraditional HIV prevention programs.

The authors state that HIV is disproportionately prevalent in young heterosexual African American men, but I wonder why they excluded homosexual African American men from their preventative programs.

The barbershop owners expressed concern about the financial implications of such prevention programs, and clarification is needed in determining the source of funding. In addition, it would be helpful to know if the authors could suggest ways to monitor efficacy of these programs. I also ask the authors their views on the possible extent to which the barber-client relationship may change if a third party were to be involved in implementing these programs.

Miriam Nathan, BA

New York University

New York

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