A Faith Based Approach to Reducing Disparities in Latino Communities

Background: The South Bronx and Harlem have the highest obesity and diabetes rates in New York City. Bronx Health REACH, a coalition of over 70 churches and community-based organizations, promotes improved nutrition, increased physical activity, and reduced risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease in Black (African, Caribbean and African American) and Latino neighborhoods.

Methods: REACH offers to churches a menu of culturally appropriate information and programming to affect individual and institutional change. As part of the REACH evaluation, baseline surveys were conducted among congregants at 20 churches (9 Latino and 11 Black) prior to offering the REACH programs.

Results: 985 congregants were surveyed (434 Latinos and 551 Blacks). A number of statistically significant differences suggest particular needs among Latinos: they were less educated, less likely to speak English, and less likely to be insured than Black congregants. At baseline, Latinos reported less knowledge about nutrition, they were less likely to exercise and more likely to report that food offered in their church is not healthy. Additionally, despite attending church more often than Blacks, Latinos were less likely to attend health promotion activities within their church. Since joining REACH, all Latino churches have offered programs addressing healthy eating and physical activity. They have also committed to institutional changes regarding food service and opportunities for physical activity.

Conclusions: Latino populations in low-income urban neighborhoods have specific health promotion and educational needs, as compared to other minority populations. Faith institutions are promising sites for health promotion activities to engage Latinos in healthy lifestyles.