258340 Mechanisms & capacity to reduce disparities: The abundant life health ministries initiative

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Rena Pasick, DrPH , Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
Galen Joseph, PhD , Department of Anthropology, History & Social Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
Monica Allen, MPH, DrPH(c) , Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
Michelle Moseley , Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco
Susan Stewart, PhD , Division of Biostatistics, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA
Kirsten Bibbens-Domingo, PhD, MD, MAS , School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
Marion DePuit, RN, BSN , Community Health Alliance Faith and Health Partnership, John Muir, Concord, CA
Gloria Brown, MPA , Mills Peninsula, African American Community Health Advisory Committee of San Mateo County, Burlingame, CA
Wilma Batiste , Faith Communities Committee, UCSF HDF Comprehensive Cancer Center, San Francisco, CA
Background: The UCSF Abundant Life Health Ministries Initiative (ALHMI) is part of an academic-faith partnership whose mission is fostering African American church health ministries as a means to reduce health disparities. AHLMI focuses on enhancing the capacity of churches to promote health through dissemination or development of evidence-based interventions designed specifically for the Black church. The purpose of this study is to elucidate the mechanisms of, and capacity for, sustained health interventions by health ministries in San Francisco Bay Area Black churches who have implemented “Body & Soul”, a proven effective intervention to increase consumption of fruits and vegetables. Methods: Our mixed methods study has three components: (1) Cross- sectional surveys administered at six-month intervals to measure changes in fruit and vegetable consumption, BMI and Body & Soul awareness among members of participating churches; (2) Comparative case studies, including qualitative interviews with pastors, health ministry leaders and health ministry members at each church; (3) Standard process evaluation procedures to measure program implementation. Results: Eleven churches of various sizes and denominations participated. Preliminary analyses of interviews with health ministry personnel suggest that expanded church capacity to deliver and sustain evidence-based health promotion interventions can be achieved through training and ongoing technical assistance. Process evaluation data showed churches regularly conducted health promotion events for church and community members. Conclusion: This study evaluates a capacity-building model for sustainability of health ministries. Preliminary data suggest that such a model can be a viable form of support for churches who wish to address health disparities.

Learning Areas:
Administer health education strategies, interventions and programs
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs

Learning Objectives:
1. Discuss the capacity of churches to promote healthy behaviors in the African American community. 2. Identify methods to expand and sustain the capacity of churches to promote health and reduce health disparities

Keywords: Faith Community, Community-Based Health Promotion

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am the Principle Investigator on the study.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 4197.0: Strategies Encouraging Wellness and Prevention: A Spiritual Perspective