Engaging in health promotion activities in Asian American faith-based organizations in New York City and New Jersey

Issues: Faith based organizations (FBOs) such as churches, mosques and temples can play a vital role in the health of Asian Americans (AAs).  Most FBO studies demonstrate that organizational changes can have a broad reach among community members and improve congregant health outcomes but have targeted African- and Latino- American communities.

Description: The overall goal of the Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health for Asian AmeRicans (REACH FAR) Project is to implement comprehensive, integrated, and sustainable multi-sector evidence-based policy, systems, and environmental (EBPSE) approaches to addressing hypertension (HTN) control in targeted AA communities (Bangladeshi, Filipino, Korean, Asian Indian)  in NY and NJ.  Working with 11 FBOs, REACH FAR introduced policies to serve healthy foods during communal meals and/or incorporate healthy meal options into existing menus .  REACH FAR also enhanced FBO capacity to deliver culturally and linguistically appropriate health coaching for HTN management and prevention by adapting an evidence-based train-the-trainer program designed to screen, monitor, and provide theory-based counseling to individuals with HTN.

Lessons Learned: To increase acceptability and feasibility of health promotion strategies, all engagement and education has to be linguistically and culturally tailored at multiple layers (e.g. ethnicity, individual site), and concurrently focus on different facets of FBOs, (e.g. leadership, congregants, food purchasing and preparation staff). To increase acceptance of nutrition policies, efforts should focus on offering additional healthy foods rather than eliminate other food options.

Recommendations: More health promotion interventions should be conducted in AA FBOs as they are willing to engage in health research activities.