The Seventh Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal(AME)Church formalized their commitment to faith-based health promotion in the year 2000, by declaring commitment to increase access to health services and eliminate disparities through a systematic approach to health improvement. The District consists of 645 individual churches in South Carolina with over 200,000 members who are primarily African American. Integral to implementing this faith-based model throughout the state of South Carolina is professional Parish Nursing. Parish Nursing in this model is tailored to meet the unique needs of specific congregations. This innovative faith-based health promotion model, includes the support and educational program for health promoters, since many churches do not have a Parish Nurse in their congregation. A central role of professional Parish Nurses in congregational health and healing in the AME Church is demonstrated through the education and supervision of the health promoters. This model will be presented along with the proposed educational plan for educating health promoters in every AME congregation throughout the state and evaluate progress made by the health professionals. The AME faith-based health promotion model will be discussed from an organizational structural view, as well as the practical methodologies of implementation. The efficacy of the model will be evaluated to determine if it will be implemented nationally.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to: 1. Articulate one state-wide model for the integration of faith and health. 2. Recognize the central role of Parish Nursing in the education of health promoters. Faculty/Teacher activities related to outcomes: 1. Faculty will describe a state-wide faith based health promotion model, as well as the practical methodologies of implementation and evaluation. 2. Faculty will share the positive aspects of collaboration between a faith community and Parish Nurse educational program.
Keywords: Faith Community, Health Promotion
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.