Faith-based Partnerships Research Articles

Leveraging Patient Advocacy and Faith-Based Partnerships to Educate, Activate, and Prepare Black Communities to be Screened for Lung Cancer.

Lung cancer is the second most common and the deadliest cancer for men and women in the U.S. Historical and current-day injustices, implicit and explicit bias, stigma, social determinants, and disparities contribute to inequitable lung cancer-related health outcomes for Black and African Americans comparatively. Despite being a preventive health recommendation for over a decade, the percentage of eligible individuals screened remains low. Burgeoning lung cancer screening programs have established capacity and opened access across the country, but screening rates remain exceedingly poor, especially among people of color. More intentional efforts must be made, and socially conscious and population-specific methods must be undertaken to ensure all eligible individuals realize the benefits of screening. Partnerships between lung cancer patient advocacy and faith-based organizations are a natural leverage point to educate, prepare, and empower Black health ministries to disseminate lung cancer-related health information to their faith communities. This How I Do It shares an approach to community outreach and engagement in Black churches in the South, informed by established principles and best practices and the perspectives and skills only lived experiences can offer.

Building a Community Partnership for the Development of Health Ministries Within the African American Community: The Triad Pastors Network

African Americans continue to have worse health outcomes despite attempts to reduce health disparities. This is due, in part, to inadequate access to healthcare, but also to the health care and medical mistrust experienced by communities of color. Churches and worship centers have historically served as cultural centers of trusted resources for educational, financial, and health information within African American communities and a growing number of collaborations have developed between academic institutions and community/faith entities. Herein, we describe the infrastructure of a true and sustainable partnership developed with > 100 prominent faith leaders within the Piedmont Triad region of North Carolina for the purpose of developing or expanding existing health ministries within houses of worship, to improve health literacy and overall health long-term. The Triad Pastors Network is an asset-based partnership between the Maya Angelou Center for Health Equity at Wake Forest University School of Medicine and faith leaders in the Piedmont Triad region of North Carolina that was created under the guiding principles of community engagement to improve health equity and decrease health disparities experienced by African American communities. A partnership in which co-equality and shared governance are the core of the framework provides an effective means of achieving health-related goals in a productive and efficient manner. Faith-based partnerships are reliable approaches for improving the health literacy needed to address health disparities and inequities in communities of color.

MP55-13 BROTHERS LINKED AGAINST CANCER, CANCER EDUCATION PROGRAM ASSESSING PROSTATE CANCER KNOWLEDGE IN AFRICAN AMERICANS UTILIZING FAITH-BASED PARTNERSHIPS

You have accessJournal of UrologyCME1 Apr 2023MP55-13 BROTHERS LINKED AGAINST CANCER, CANCER EDUCATION PROGRAM ASSESSING PROSTATE CANCER KNOWLEDGE IN AFRICAN AMERICANS UTILIZING FAITH-BASED PARTNERSHIPS Crystal Casado, Marcus Moses, Jonathan Allotey, Andrew Anderson, and Spencer Krane Crystal CasadoCrystal Casado More articles by this author , Marcus MosesMarcus Moses More articles by this author , Jonathan AlloteyJonathan Allotey More articles by this author , Andrew AndersonAndrew Anderson More articles by this author , and Spencer KraneSpencer Krane More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1097/JU.0000000000003308.13AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookLinked InTwitterEmail Abstract INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: In the past decade, cancer mortality rates have declined in the United States, however, African-American (AA) men continue to have a two-fold higher prostate cancer (PCa) incidence and mortality compared to their Caucasian counterparts. While there is no apparent etiologic reason for this disparity, AA men continue to experience significant differences in PCa screening measures, treatment decisions, clinical outcomes, and clinical trial enrollment. To address PCa disparities, Brothers Linked Against Cancer (BLAC), a culturally tailored cancer education initiative, aims to equitably empower and enhance AA’s awareness and understanding of PCa through faith-based partnerships. METHODS: In collaboration with AA churches in New Orleans, LA, BLAC organized PCa awareness events targeting AA men and women over thirty years of age. Participants were instructed to watch BLAC’s 6-minute culturally tailored PCa educational video and complete pre- and post-surveys consisting of demographic questions and knowledge assessments composed of 12 questions from the Knowledge of PCa and Screening Scale. Statistical analyses were performed using t-tests with a p-value <0.05 for significance. RESULTS: A total of 51 participants (86% men, 63% age>65, 49% college-educated, 44% retired) attended BLAC PCa awareness events between March-July 2022. Most men (66%) indicated receiving PCa screening before with 29% of participants reporting a family history of PCa. The mean pretest score for all participants was 8 (69%), with the mean posttest score rising to 10 (83%) (p<0.002). After the events, most participants (93%) endorsed comfort in discussing PCa and (84%) planned to talk to their doctor about PCa screening. CONCLUSIONS: In this pilot study, BLAC successfully fostered community engagement, promoted PCa awareness, and increased the understanding of PCa at partnering AA churches. PCa disparities are multidimensional, and complex health interventions, including trust-building, are needed to address them effectively. Source of Funding: Albert Schweitzer Foundation & Center for Public Service (Tulane University) © 2023 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 209Issue Supplement 4April 2023Page: e768 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2023 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.MetricsAuthor Information Crystal Casado More articles by this author Marcus Moses More articles by this author Jonathan Allotey More articles by this author Andrew Anderson More articles by this author Spencer Krane More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...

Intimate partner violence disclosure among Muslim-Americans: a survey study of disclosure likelihood to varying networks and the roles of relational context, religiosity, and marginalization

ABSTRACT This study examined the roles of relational context, religiosity, and marginalization in Muslim-American adults’ (N = 314) disclosure of intimate partner violence (IPV). Participants responded to scenarios involving IPV perpetrated by Muslim or non-Muslim partners. When IPV perpetrators were non-Muslim, disclosure likelihood was higher to non-Muslim networks (e.g., law enforcement, non-Muslim friends), whereas when perpetrators were Muslim, disclosure likelihood was higher to Muslim networks (e.g., family members, Muslim shelters). Religiosity was positively associated with disclosure likelihood to Muslim networks, but negatively associated with disclosure likelihood to non-Muslim networks. This pattern of association was most pronounced in the Muslim partner scenario. For Muslim and non-Muslim partners, marginalization was negatively associated with IPV disclosure likelihood to law enforcement and, unexpectedly, family members. In the non-Muslim perpetrator scenario only, marginalization was negatively linked to disclosure to Muslim friends. Results support interventions involving tailored disclosure conditions, enhanced culture-based training, and stronger secular and faith-based organizational partnerships.

Development and Testing of the Church Environment Audit Tool.

In this paper, we describe development and reliability testing of a novel tool to evaluate the physical environment of faith-based settings pertaining to opportunities for physical activity (PA) and healthy eating (HE). Tool development was a multistage process including a review of similar tools, stakeholder review, expert feedback, and pilot testing. Final tool sections included indoor opportunities for PA, outdoor opportunities for PA, food preparation equipment, kitchen type, food for purchase, beverages for purchase, and media. Two independent audits were completed at 54 churches. Interrater reliability (IRR) was determined with Kappa and percent agreement. Of 218 items, 102 were assessed for IRR and 116 could not be assessed because they were not present at enough churches. Percent agreement for all 102 items was over 80%. For 42 items, the sample was too homogeneous to assess Kappa. Forty-six of the remaining items had Kappas greater than 0.60 (25 items 0.80-1.00; 21 items 0.60-0.79), indicating substantial to almost perfect agreement. The tool proved reliable and efficient for assessing church environments and identifying potential intervention points. Future work can focus on applications within faith-based partnerships to understand how church environments influence diverse health outcomes.

Multi-Sectoral Member Care: Engaging Our World as Global Integrators

How can we build on the substantial foundations of member care as we pursue new opportunities for impacting our needy world? We address this important question through the framework of Global Integration (GI) and multi-sectoral member care. GI is a framework for linking our integrity, skills, and values in order to address the major issues in our world. We present five strategic areas for connecting and contributing across sectors in member care as “global integrators.” These areas include engaging our world via: the member care field; international issues; the humanitarian, development, and other sectors; global mental health; and faith-based partnerships. We finish by describing seven indicators for involvement as global integrators and a sample GI template for multi-sectoral member care. We encourage colleagues to continue the emphasis on well-being and effectiveness for mission personnel while launching into new areas of challenge and service within the missio Dei.

David and Goliath: dismantling inequalities within faith-based cross-sector partnerships

ABSTRACTThis article reports on a research project that explored the internal dynamics of a faith-based and cross-sector partnership when different levels of organisational resources and capacity exist. A case of a three-way partnership between a faith-based, a for-profit, and a non-profit organisation is analysed. Through participant observation, interviews, and an examination of secondary data using grounded theory and the constant comparison method of analysis, an assessment of how resources impacts partnership structure, agenda/goal setting, roles, and responsibilities are highlighted and framed to demonstrate the inequalities in partnership outcomes. Furthermore, a framework for how to infuse structural equality into these partnerships is discussed.

Supporting African American Student Success Through Prophetic Activism

This article describes how African American students’ success can be improved via the increased support of Black churches and their partnerships with public schools. Findings and implications from a comparative case study of two North Carolina churches that strive to educationally assist African American public school students are detailed. Both churches have outreach programs in local schools, and their activities indicate the value of faith-based partnerships embodying “prophetic activism” that benefits broader communities and empowers African Americans overall. We draw upon the study’s findings to recommend partnership strategies for church and public educational leaders.

Formation of Faith-based Cross-sector Partnerships: A Game Changing Collaboration

Faith-based and cross-sector partnerships offer unique opportunities to shore up faith-based organizations’ capacity to meet the needs of low-income families. With the recent cutbacks in federal and state funding for social programs that support needy families, faith-based organizations have increasingly tried to fill this void. However, many faith-based organizations are small and lack sufficient financial capacity to deal with the increases in need. This research project focused on why and how cross-sector partnerships are formed between faith-based and secular institutions. Through participant observation, interviews and examination of secondary data, and Grounded Theory and Constant Comparison method of analysis a framework for forming faith-based, cross-sectored partnership was developed. Results indicate the most salient factors that affect the formation of these partnerships: faith-based social mission, partnership initiator, assessment of qualification, mission overlap, and partnership benefit.

Faith-Based Partnerships for Population Health: Challenges, Initiatives, and Prospects

Faith-Based Partnerships for Population Health: Challenges, Initiatives, and Prospects

Faith-Based Partnerships and Foster Parent Satisfaction

Throughout the last several decades, there has been a chronic shortage of foster and adoptive families in the United States. Recruiting families to begin the licensure process to become foster and adoptive parents is already a difficult undertaking. But research shows that a very large proportion of families drop out of the licensure process early on due to frustration or a lack of support. This paper studies two faith-based partnerships that have arisen to create new capacity in the child welfare system. These programs recruit prospective families from churches and then provide training and ongoing support to those families throughout the licensure process. Using survey data collected from program participants, respondent perceptions of the licensure process are compared to a nationally representative sample of foster parents from the National Foster Care Adoptions Attitude Survey. Statistical results demonstrate that participants with the faith-based programs reported much higher levels of satisfaction with the process than the national sample. These findings provide evidence that these faith-based partnerships may provide an important additional source of capacity for an overburdened child welfare system.

Exploring Community Health Center and Faith-based Partnerships: Community Residents' Perspectives

Community health centers (CHCs) play a critical role in the primary care safety net. Partnerships between CHCs and faith-based organizations are promoted as a way to increase outreach to underserved populations and support health-promoting behaviors and effective disease management. Through six focus groups (totaling 58 participants), we explored low-income residents' perspectives (African American, Latino, and White) of their communities, the meaning of health, the role of spirituality, and their experiences with and preferences for congregation-based health programming to inform future outreach efforts of a CHC. We found that community perspectives varied based on race/ethnicity and neighborhood, but health concerns tended to cluster by race/ethnicity alone. We also found that spirituality was deemed important for health by all racial-ethnic groups, but attendance at religious services, religious affiliation, and preferences for congregation-based health programming varied across and within groups. Community health center-faith based partnerships could facilitate health care access in underserved communities but may have limited reach among certain subgroups and individuals.

Faith-Based Partnerships in Graduate Medical Education: The Experience of the Morehouse School of Medicine Public Health/Preventive Medicine Residency Program

Abstract Faith-based organizations can be strategic partners in addressing the needs of low-income and underserved individuals and communities. The Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM) Public Health/Preventive Medicine Residency Program (PH/PMR) collaborates with faith-based organizations for the purpose of resident education, community engagement, and service. These partners provide guidance for the program's community initiatives and health promotion activities designed to address health inequities. Residents complete a longitudinal community practicum experience with a faith-based organization over the 2-year training period. Residents conduct a community health needs assessment at the organization and design a health intervention that addresses the identified needs. The faith-based community practicum also serves as a vehicle for achieving skills in all eight domains of the Public Health Competencies developed by the Council on Linkages and all six Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) Core Competencies. The MSM PH/PMR Program has engaged in faith-based partnerships for 7 years. This article discusses the structure of these partnerships, how partners are identified, funding sources for supporting resident projects, and examples of resident health needs assessment and intervention activities. The MSM PH/PMR Program may serve as a model to other residency and fellowship programs that may have an interest in developing partnerships with faith-based organizations.

The Safety Net and Faith-Based Services

The focus of this policy article is not on the merit of faith-based initiative but on who serves the poor. The key argument is that in the United States, especially through its federal government, has increasingly abdicated “safety net” services of helping poor cope with the hardship of poverty. As we document, as a collective, Americans pay low taxes and turn away from using taxes to help poor people. Furthermore, the American government no longer financially supports the poor but rather provide them with work-incentive-based services. While the general public and their politicians have turned away from the poor, year in and year out faith-based communities and their congregations and organizations care for and actively serve those with the least resources. Thus, it is our position that the current administration needs the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, but this office needs to adopt new approaches that are more community oriented.

The Expansion of Faith-Based Partnerships With Government

Social service partnerships between faith-based organizations and federal, state, and local government have been established for several decades; however, they have experienced significant expansion and increased support in recent years. These partnerships have long centered on helping individuals cope with issues of substance abuse and mental health, as well as overcoming other addictive behaviors, and establishing positive life practices for self-sufficiency. These partnerships are rather old in nature but relatively new in scope and focus bringing a myriad of resources into the public square as well as opportunities for additional research on their efficacy.

Faith-Based Programming for Offenders

In February 2009, President Obama established the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, amending but also continuing former President Bush's governmental support of faith organizations and their work with people in need. Faith-based programming for criminal offenders is one of the key areas supported by these White House initiatives, but there is little research on its implementation and effectiveness. This short article first discusses important definitional and constitutional issues relevant to faith-based programs working with offenders under government control. It then briefly summarizes results from available published studies, notes the limitations of this research, and discusses important policy implications resulting from these studies.

Barack Obama and the Public Administration of Faith

For American presidents, spiritual faith and religion have been an important vehicle for expressing national vision for the future as well as understanding the collective past. As President Barack Obama advances into his term in office, the question posed is this: to what degree will spiritual faith play in his leadership and resulting public policies? This question is addressed by examining the President's inaugural address and by taking a preliminary look at the White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships. Indications are that religion and faith will maintain a customary role, but President Obama will most likely find ways to remind the American people of the diversity of beliefs in the American political community. He will welcome such diversity into the mainstream of political and policy life.

A National Examination of Partnerships Among Local Health Departments and Faith Communities in the United States

Local health departments (LHDs) can play a major role in partnering with faith-based organizations to enhance the overall health status of the public. This study examines the frequency that LHDs and faith-based partnerships occur, types of activities performed as reported by LHDs, and population and functional characteristics associated with these partnerships. Secondary data analysis of the 2005 National Profile of LHDs study (Profile), developed by the National Association of County & City Health Officials, was conducted on a stratified random sample of 517 LHDs receiving the core questionnaire and a module with questions about partnership and collaboration. Results indicated that 361 LHDs (83.1%) reported partnership activities occurring with faith-based organizations. At least one partnership activity was performed, with the overall most commonly reported activity as exchanging information (66.6%) across small, medium, and large LHDs. Size of jurisdiction, was positively associated with any partnership activity, higher median number of partnership activities, and higher percentage of high-level partnerships (ie providing financial resources or taking the leadership role). Further studies should consider types of programs and services produced by LHDs and faith-based partnerships, additional factors that impact partnership activities, and differences in partnership activities existing by racial and ethnic characteristics of LHD jurisdictions.

Does Religious Activity Improve Health Outcomes? A Critical Review of the Recent Literature

Many Americans use religious activity to cope with stressful life events. Our goal was to review systematically the recent medical literature to assess the role of religion in health outcomes. We conducted a comprehensive literature search using MEDLINE to identify studies published in the English language between January 1999 and June 2003 describing the effect of religion on health outcomes. The search strategy used the medical subject headings (MeSH) of religion; religion AND medicine; religion OR intercessory prayer; prayer; prayer therapy; religious rites; faith; medicine, traditional; religiosity; religion AND psychology; and religion AND health. Religious, but not spiritual, interventions were selected for inclusion. Thus, papers describing interventions such as yoga, meditation, acupuncture, and qigong were excluded. Manuscripts describing randomized controlled trials, clinical trials, and partnerships with faith-based organizations were included. We found five randomized controlled trials, four clinical trials, and seven faith-based partnerships that describe the impact of religious intervention on health outcomes. Papers were analyzed by four reviewers using a modified Delphi technique to reach consensus. Religious intervention such as intercessory prayer may improve success rates of in vitro fertilization, decrease length of hospital stay and duration of fever in septic patients, increase immune function, improve rheumatoid arthritis, and reduce anxiety. Frequent attendance at religious services likely improves health behaviors. Moreover, prayer may decrease adverse outcomes in patients with cardiac disease. Religious activity may improve health outcomes.

Incorporating faith-based partnerships into the curriculum.

Incorporating faith-based partnerships into the curriculum.