Symposium to Focus on the Link Between Hair and Health

Residents in Rochester and the Finger Lakes region have an opportunity to learn how their health is affected by their hair, skin and scalp at a free symposium. 

With the theme, "Black Royalty: Your Hair is Your Crown," the Hair and Health Symposium 2025 will take place Sunday, Oct. 12 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Edgerton R-Center, 41 Backus Street. 

Wade Norwood, Co-CEO, Common Ground Health/Rochester RHIO, will present the keynote address. Dr. Janice Cheong, assistant professor of Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, will discuss the importance of colorectal cancer screening and hepatology and liver health in communities of color.  

The free event is presented by Common Ground Health and the Get it Done initiative, which trains barbers and stylists as Community Health Educators. Several barbers and stylists will be speaking about their work promoting better health outcomes. They offer health education, making referrals, stocking naloxone to reverse opioid overdoses, and sharing clothing and food with customers and community members. 

People can register for the event at commongroundhealth.org/hair25.