Keywords

cardiovascular disease, change agents, community health, continuing education, diabetes, faith, faith-based healthcare, health, health disparities, public health, systems change

 

Authors

  1. Pichert, James W. PhD
  2. McClellan, Linda H. MPH
  3. Larson, Celia PhD
  4. Kenerson, Donna MPA, RN
  5. Brown, Anne RN, NP
  6. Reid, Ron
  7. Miller, Stephania PhD, MSCI
  8. Hargreaves, Margaret PhD

Abstract

Research supports the potential effectiveness of health programs offered through African American churches, but pastors are often unprepared to assess the value of and help their congregations adopt such programs. This article summarizes how Nashville REACH 2010 addressed these issues via a "Faith and Health" course offered by the American Baptist College, a 4-year coeducational, liberal arts Bible college serving a predominantly African American student body. Participants became change agents by planning health-related programs for their congregations. Content analysis of student projects revealed 5 themes deemed important for program implementation and instituting systems change.