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Mark J. DeHaven, PhD, Department of Family Practice and Community Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, 6263 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX 75390-9067, 214-648-1046, mark.dehaven@UTSouthwestern.edu
FBOs play at least two major roles in improving health outcomes in at-risk communities. They provide program-based approaches for preventing and managing chronic disease and they play a leadership role in collaborating with others to identify and resolve community problems that are contributing to undesirable health outcomes. Research conducted by the author demonstrates tremendous benefit among individuals participating in faith-based health programs. The programs can increase disease knowledge and program participants' readiness to change, reduce the risks associated with disease and symptoms of disease, and reduce unnecessary hospitalizations and emergency room visits. However, an even more valuable contribution may be the faith-based organizations' ministry of presence to those who experience inequities in health outcomes related to poverty and inadequate living conditions. That is, FBOs can possibly reduce the burden of disease by helping to address the true causes of many chronic diseases, which frequently have more to do with underlying social problems than with genetics or inadequate access to medical care. The author will present the overall rationale and definitive faith-health model in medicine that he has been developing through research during the last ten years. Components of the model to be discussed will include the faith-health system structure, and the findings of a series of investigations addressing the most effective types of faith-health collaborative programs, the effect of these programs on participants' level of hope, and the second year findings of a three-year CDC study examining the effects of a faith-health collaborative project on managing mental illness and diabetes.
Learning Objectives: Participants in this session will learn
Keywords: Community-Based Public Health, Faith Community
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.