The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #71014

Glovioell Rowland, PhD, Assistant Pastor, Pasadena Church of God, 404 E. Washington Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91104, 626-794-2951, Pastorglovioell@aol.com

In response to the epidemic overweight and obesity rates in the African American population, faith-based projects developed partnerships with the California Department of Health Services, City Parks and Recreation, Universities, and progressive politicians to launch a policy-driven campaign to increase consumption of fruit and vegetables to 5 A Day, and moderate activity levels to 30 minutes within low-income African American communities.

Faith leaders executed partnerships with mass media, health coalitions, and public/private organizations! They instituted nutrition and physical activity policy changes within their churches, denominations, and broader communities. This primer describes the churches’ paradigm shift from passive recipients of health messages to active initiators of health campaigns.

The Faith channel’s infrastructure is already designed to promote healthy lifestyles. Now, enter health disparities! The Black Church’s expertise in social change is transferred to the health realm. Creative partnerships positioned African American faith leaders to chair Food Policy Councils in Public Health Departments, garner City Proclamations promoting Good Nutrition, host health booths at Black History Festivals, and link ministerial organizations with chronic disease prevention programs. Protocols from the primer reveal the outreach and training methods that promoted community health saturation.

Learning Objectives:

"At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to:
• List 5 texts from the Holy Bible that will motivate Church leaders/members to modify dietary habits.
• Identify 3 major policy changes churches can implement to improve Food and Nutrition outreach.
• Develop a Leadership Training module for church leaders that integrates physical activity into church programming.

Keywords: Faith Community, African American

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.