A.C.T.S. OF F.A.I.T.H - Transforming Health in the Faith Community of Chicago

African Americans (AA) on Chicago’s Southside experience greater rates of chronic disease (cardiovascular disease, obesity and diabetes) compared to any other racial groups. The AA church has strong history and presence on the Southside of Chicago, and offers an established mechanism for information sharing, ministry and education. It is extremely important however, that any studies and interventions conducted in AA faith settings aimed to promote health or improve health status in AA include community-based participatory research (CBPR) methodologies.

A.C.T.S OF F.A.I.T.H. (AOF) is a unique collaborative body that brings together the strengths and assets of faith institutions, the community and research equally to address health disparities on Chicago’s Southside across four domains (research, education/outreach, training and advocacy). AOF consists of 16 AA faith institutions varied size and denomination. An active working group comprised of representatives from of each of the collaborating faith institutions was formed in 2008 and a board of directors was formed in 2010. The aims of AOF are to unite and mobilize faith institutions and empower communities to pursue an active role in wellness. Using CBPR, AOF seeks to examine the health status, priorities and concerns of the congregations of the faith institutions and their leadership, to determine successful interventions. AOF recognizes the importance of ongoing dialogue between AOF, the faith community, and research institutions as integral to successful research and intervention on Chicago’s Southside. A culturally-tailored evidence-based community health intervention with research methods is required to reduce and ultimately eliminate racial disparities in health in Chicago.