The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #38488

Juliana E. van Olphen¹, Amy Schulz, PhD², Barbara A. Israel, DrPH³, Amina Rahman⁴, Linda Chatters, PhD⁵, Laura Klem, MS⁵, Edith Parker, PhD⁵, and David R. Williams, PhD⁶. (1) School of Health Sciences, Program in Urban Public Health, Hunter College, 425 East 25th Street, New York, NY 10010, 212-481-5154, vjuliana@hunter.cuny.edu, (2) Health Behavior and Health Education, University of Michigan, School of Public Health, 5134 SPH II, 1420 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, (3) School of Public Health, University of Michigan, 1420 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, (4) The Best of the Best, 9367 Navarre Street, Detroit, MI 48214, (5) Health Behavior and Health Education/School of Public Health, University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, 1420 Washington Heights Blvd, SPH II, 5th Floor, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, (6) Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Dept. of Sociology and Survey Research Center, PO Box 1248, Ann Arbor, MI 481-06-1248

A significant body of research suggests a salutary effect of religious involvement on health. Data presented here were collected as part of the East Side Village Health Worker Partnership (ESHWP). The ESVHWP was established in 1995 as part of the Detroit Community-Academic Urban Research Center, funded by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The ESVHWP seeks to expand the knowledge base of the social determinants of health, and to improve the health of women, children and families on Detroit's east side using a lay health worker intervention. The ESVHWP involves a collaboration among the University of Michigan School of Public Health, Detroit Health Department, Butzel Family Center, Friends of Parkside, Henry Ford Health System, Islandview Development corporation, Kettering/Butzel Health Initiative, Warren/Conner Development Coalition, the East Side Parish Nurse Network, V.I.S.I.O.N., and community residents on Detroit's east side. Data from in-depth interviews conducted with twenty-six lay health advisors (i.e. Village Health Workers) were used to enhance understanding of findings from a community-based survey. Results of quantitative analyses showed that respondents who prayed less often reported a greater number of depressive symptoms, after controlling for sociodemographic variables and physical functioning. Analysis of qualitative data from interviews conducted with Village Health Workers from Detroit's east side enhanced understanding of these and other results of the quantitative study by, for example, illustrating the use of individual and collective prayer in times of crisis. Implications of these findings are discussed, highlighting lessons learned for working with community members to strengthen neighborhood capacity.

Learning Objectives:

• To better understand the pathways through which religion influences mental and physical health.

Keywords: Religion, African American

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: CDC and Detroit URC
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.