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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
David G. Schlundt, PhD1, Celia O. Larson, PhD2, Christina Mushi, MPH2, Nasar U. Ahmed, PhD3, Stephania Miller, PhD4, Tunu Kinebrew, MA5, Valeria Wakefield, B|A5, Kristen Postell, MS, RD5, Linda McClellan, MS5, and Michelle Marrs, MS6. (1) Department of Psychology, Vanderbilt University, 301 Wilson Hall, Nashville, TN 37203, (615) 322-7800, david.schlundt@vanderbilt.edu, (2) Division of Health Care Services Evaluation, Metropolitan Nashville Davidson County Health Department, 311 23rd Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37203, (3) Clinical Research Center, School of Medicine, Meharry Medical College, Campus Box A4, 1005 D.B. Todd Blvd., Nashville, TN 37208, (4) Diabetes Research and Training Center, Vanderbilt University, 315 Medical Arts, 1211 21st Ave. South, Nashville, TN 37212, (5) Project REACH 2010, Matthew Walker Comprehensive Health Care Center, 1501 Herman Street, Nashville, TN 37208, (6) Executive Director, Matthew Walker Comprehensive Health Care Center, 1501 Herman Street, Nashville, TN 37208
Our goal was to describe relationships between religious practices and health behaviors in the African American (AA) Community. Randomly selected residents were interviewed by phone (n=1720 AA, 63% female; n=1361 Caucasians (C), 56% female) concerning eating and exercise habits, physical and emotional functioning, religious affiliation, and spirituality. A focus group (n=11, 55% female) discussed relationships between religion and health. More AA than C have a religious affiliation (92.4% vs. 80.7%; p<0.0001), attended church more often (p<0.0001), considered themselves more religious (p<0.0001), and reported religion (or God) a source of comfort (p<0.0001). Hierarchical multiple regression was conducted using only AA respondents. Controlling for age and gender, religious variables accounted for significant variance in physical health (11%), mental health (3%), stage of change for increasing fruits and vegetables (2%) and decreasing dietary fat (4%), fat lowering behaviors (3%), weight management behaviors (1%), and physical activity (4%). Frequent church attendance and religion as a comfort were associated with healthier behaviors. Significant differences between denominations were found for health outcomes and health behaviors. Focus group participants emphasized the church’s role as a behavior change agent, unhealthy church meals, and the need for church members to work with individuals. We conclude that religion and spirituality are more important in the AA community, AA who are more involved in religious life are healthier, churches and denominations differ in their culture of wellness, and the AA church is an important health promotion partner.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Minority Health, Faith Community
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.