Online Program

282707
Adapting a faith-based health-promotion program to a diverse audience of immigrant and refugee women: Lessons learned


Monday, November 4, 2013 : 1:30 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.

Annie Hardison-Moody, PhD, Department of Youth, Family, and Community Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
Carolyn Dunn, PhD, Department of 4-H Youth Development and Family and Consumer Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
Cathy Thomas, MAEd, Community and Clinical Connections for Prevention and Health Branch, NC Division of Public Health, DHHS, Raleigh, NC
Lorelei Jones, MED, Department of Youth, Family, and Community Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
Maryam Funmilayo, Department of 4-H Youth Development and Family & Consumer Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
While there have been increased calls for nutrition and physical activity interventions among immigrant and refugee populations, few programs have been tested. This paper describes a partnership between Faithful Families Eating Smart and Moving More (Faithful Families), a faith-based health promotion program developed by the North Carolina Division of Public Health and NC Cooperative Extension and the Islamic Association of Raleigh (IAR), highlighting unique components developed from listening sessions with women leaders in the community. As part of Faithful Families, thirteen women have been trained as lay leaders at the IAR and formed an “Eat Smart Move More” committee. Through listening and training, three key adaptations in programming occurred. The first was the decision to create women-only Faithful Families classes, after hearing that women would be more comfortable sharing in a single-gender setting. So far, 10 women from six countries have participated in classes, which promote simple strategies to plan, shop for and prepare healthy foods. Second, the Program Assistant hired for this project is from the IAR, and has adapted recipes, ensured purchasing of halal foods, and developed a translation plan. Finally, based on lay leader's suggestions, we developed a farmer's market tour, as a way to introduce U.S. markets to women born outside the U.S. Taste tests of market recipes are included, with encouragement to adapt recipes using cultural or regional spices. We conclude with lessons learned for health promotion interventions with immigrant and refugee communities, focusing on the need for relationship-building, listening, and a willingness to adapt.

Learning Areas:

Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Program planning

Learning Objectives:
Identify key adaptations for a faith-based health promotion program among immigrant and refugee women Describe the need for listening and learning from immigrant and refugee communities in the design of health promotion interventions

Keyword(s): Faith Community, Immigrant Women

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I developed and coordinate the program discussed in this paper. The focus of my graduate study and career is on the intersections of religion and public health.
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.