Banding together to improve community health: Faith-based partnerships help improve breast and cervical cancer navigation in New Orleans

Introduction: As gaps in health outcomes widen, it has become necessary for public health practitioners to look to non-traditional partners to aid in the delivery of public health initiatives. The American Cancer Society (ACS) and Louisiana Comprehensive Cancer Control Program (LCCCP) agreed that patient navigation was needed in the New Orleans region as its fractured healthcare system was recovering from Hurricane Katrina. Churches in the region began to offer services to congregates that were outside of typical faith-based efforts. Church leaders sought non-traditional health resources. This need was partially met by the COFFEE (Circle Of Friends For Education and Early-detection) program. Methods: ACS and LCCCP identified the need for patient navigation services and resources in the metro region. The faith-based community was identified as a major partner and community resource as churches would provide a strong link to the communities they served. Faith-based groups in the African-American, Vietnamese and Latina communities were identified. Key members were invited to form a community advisory board along with relevant governmental and non-profit groups. Discussion: A volunteer navigation program was implemented in the metro New Orleans area in the three target populations. The program directed women to the services of the Louisiana Breast Cervical Health Program and identified and removed barriers keeping women from receiving provider-recommended health care. It was imperative for the leaders on the advisory board that the community would own the COFFEE program. Conclusion: Partnerships between public health and faith-based groups increases the scope and success of community outreach initiatives.