Recorded presentation

Karen Hye-cheon Kim, PhD, Health Behavior and Health Education, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 323B Rosenau Hall, CB #7440, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7440, 919-966-0246, kkim@email.unc.edu

OBJECTIVES: Church-based health interventions have been conducted in various ways. However, few interventions have used a participatory approach. A community-based participatory framework was used in the creation of a faith-based health intervention in one North Carolina community. METHODS: Through university networks, community action meetings, and church services, a connection with an influential church member was formed. From this connection, the church member and researcher collaborated to improve the health of the church member’s faith community. Working with the church member was expected to facilitate the formation of a community action team that would identify the research agenda and plans of the church community. RESULTS: From working with the church member, a health ministry comprised of three churches in one rural community of North Carolina was formed by organizing Health Ministry advisory, action, and research teams. These three teams worked together to create a survey to assess the assets, overall health, and reported health needs of their faith community. CONCLUSIONS: Establishing a connection with an influential church member was essential in facilitating community involvement in the Health Ministry Project. Utilizing University connections and becoming familiar with the community and its leaders through attending community action meetings and church services was necessary to establish the connections needed to begin a participatory project. Results from the assessment survey will contribute to the creation of a faith-based intervention that will be appropriate and sustainable in this community.

Learning Objectives:

• To develop skills in creating a community-based participatory project and to better understand the process of community-based participatory research.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Kellogg Community Health Scholars Program

Recorded presentation