Top

Published in:

01-04-2019 | Original Paper

An Examination of Denomination-Level Efforts in Congregation Health Programming

Authors: Melissa Bopp, Benjamin L. Webb, Scherezade K. Mama, Emily Hentz-Leister

Published in: Journal of Religion and Health | Issue 2/2019

Abstract

Large denominational faith-based organizations (FBOs, e.g., conferences, dioceses) have potential to impact population health, though current activities are largely unknown. This study examined how large denominational FBOs approach health promotion programming and relevant barriers and issues related to capacity. A self-report survey via email and mail collected responses from representatives of FBOs about their health programming. The sample (n = 154) was diverse and included Catholic, Presbyterian, and Lutheran traditions. The most common activities were inclusion of health-related topics at organizational events and the provision of educational resources. Working with FBOs at a macro-level has potential implications for population-level health improvements.

AME Health Commission. (2018). Health-E-AME: For your health and well-being. Retrieved January 4, 2018 from http://www.health-e-ame.com/commission.htm.

Baruth, M., Wilcox, S., & Saunders, R. P. (2013). The role of pastor support in a faith-based health promotion intervention. Family & Community Health, 36, 204–214. https://doi.org/10.1097/FCH.0b013e31828e6733.CrossRef

Bopp, M., & Fallon, E. A. (2011). Individual and institutional influences on faith-based health and wellness programming. Health Education Research, 26, 1107–1119. https://doi.org/10.1093/her/cyr096.CrossRefPubMed

Bopp, M., & Fallon, E. A. (2013). Health and wellness programming in faith-based organizations: A description of a nationwide sample. Health Promotion Practice, 14, 122–131. https://doi.org/10.1177/1524839912446478.CrossRefPubMed

Bopp, M., Webb, B. L., Baruth, M., & Peterson, J. A. (2014). Perceptions of denominational, doctrine and seminary school support for health and wellness in churches. International Journal of Social Science Studies, 2, 189–199. https://doi.org/10.11114/ijsss.v2i1.274.CrossRef

Campbell, M. K., Hudson, M. A., Resnicow, K., Blakeney, N., Paxton, A., & Baskin, M. (2007). Church-based health promotion interventions: Evidence and lessons learned. Annual Revews in Public Health, 28, 213–234. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.publhealth.28.021406.144016.CrossRef

Dandridge, R. (2014). Faith community/parish nurse literature: Exciting interventions, unclear outcomes. Journal of Christian Nursing, 31, 100–106.CrossRefPubMed

DeHaven, M. J., Hunter, I. B., Wilder, L., Walton, J. W., & Berry, J. (2004). Health programs in faith-based organizations: Are they effective? American Journal of Public Health, 94, 1030–1036.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

Duff, J. F., & Buckingham, W. W., 3rd. (2015). Strengthening of partnerships between the public sector and faith-based groups. Lancet, 386, 1786–1794. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(15)60250-1.CrossRefPubMed

Hartford Institute for Religion Research. (2012). Fast facts about american religion. Retrieved December 22, 2017 from http://hirr.hartsem.edu/research/fastfacts/fast_facts.html.

LCMS Health Ministry. (2018). Health ministry: Encouraging christ-centered wellness for church workers and laity. Retrieved January 4, 2018 from https://www.lcms.org/how-we-serve/mercy/health-ministry.

Levin, J. (2014). Faith-based initiatives in health promotion: History, challenges, and current partnerships. American Journal of Health Promotion, 28(3), 139–141. https://doi.org/10.4278/ajhp.130403-CIT-149.CrossRefPubMed

Levin, J. (2016). Partnerships between the faith-based and medical sectors: Implications for preventive medicine and public health. Preventive Medicine Reports, 4, 344–350. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmedr.2016.07.009.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

National Physical Activity Plan Alliance. (2016). National physical activity plan. Retrieved December 12, 2017 from http://www.physicalactivityplan.org/index.php.

Pappas-Rogich, M., & King, M. (2014). Faith community nursing: Supporting healthy people 2020 initiatives. Journal of Christian Nursing, 31(4), 228–234.CrossRefPubMed

Peterson, J., Atwood, J. R., & Yates, B. (2002). Key elements for church-based health promotion programs: Outcome-based literature review. Public Health Nursing, 19, 401–411.CrossRefPubMed

Pew Research Center. (2008). U.S. religious landscape survey. Religious affiliation: Diverse and dynamic. Washington, DC: Pew Research Center.

Pew Research Center. (2014). U.S. religious landscape survey. Retrieved December 12, 2017 from http://www.pewforum.org/religious-landscape-study/.

Southern Baptist Convention. (1992). Resolution on the autonomy of baptist churches and general. Retrieved December 12, 2017 from http://www.sbc.net/resolutions/279/resolution-on-the-autonomy-of-baptist-churches-and-general.

UMC Health Ministry Network. (2017). Health ministry for united methodist clergy and congregations. Concepts of health, healing and wholeness. Retrieved December 12, 2017 from https://www.wespath.org/assets/1/7/4380.pdf.

United Methodist Church. (2018). U.S. health programs. Retrieved January 4, 2018 from https://www.umcmission.org/Explore-Our-Work/Global-Health/us-health-program.

U.S. Department of Agriculture. (2017). Center for faith-based and neighborhood partnerships. Retrieved December 12, 2017 from https://www.usda.gov/our-agency/staff-offices/center-faith-based-and-neighborhood-partnerships.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (USDHHS). (2012). Healthy people 2020. Retrieved December 22, 2017 from http://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/default.aspx.

Webb, B., Bopp, M., & Fallon, E. A. (2013). A qualitative study of faith leaders’ perceptions of health and wellness. Journal of Religion and Health, 52(1), 235–246. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-011-9476-6.CrossRefPubMed

Wilcox, S., Laken, M., Anderson, T., Bopp, M., Bryant, D., Carter, R., et al. (2007a). The health-e-AME faith-based physical activity initiative: Description and baseline findings. Health Promotion Practice, 8, 69–78. https://doi.org/10.1177/1524839905278902.CrossRefPubMed

Wilcox, S., Laken, M., Bopp, M., Gethers, O., Huang, P., McClorin, L., et al. (2007b). Increasing physical activity among church members: Community-based participatory research. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 32, 131–138. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2006.10.009.CrossRefPubMed

Wilcox, S., Laken, M., Parrott, A. W., Condrasky, M., Saunders, R., Addy, C. L., et al. (2010). The faith, activity, and nutrition (FAN) program: Design of a participatory research intervention to increase physical activity and improve dietary habits in African American churches. Contemporary Clinical Trials, 31, 323–335. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cct.2010.03.011.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

Wilcox, S., Parrott, A., Baruth, M., Laken, M., Condrasky, M., Saunders, R., et al. (2013). The Faith, Activity, and Nutrition program: A randomized controlled trial in African-American churches. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 44, 122–131. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2012.09.062.CrossRefPubMed

Zahner, S. J., & Corrado, S. M. (2004). Local health department partnerships with faith-based organizations. Journal of Public Health Management and Practice, 10, 258–265.CrossRefPubMed

Zech, C. (2003). Understanding denominational structures: Churches as franchise organizations. International Journal of the Economics of Business, 10, 323–335.CrossRef

Title: An Examination of Denomination-Level Efforts in Congregation Health Programming
Authors: Melissa Bopp
Benjamin L. Webb
Scherezade K. Mama
Emily Hentz-Leister
Publication date: 01-04-2019
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Religion and Health / Issue 2/2019
Print ISSN: 0022-4197
Electronic ISSN: 1573-6571
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-018-0726-8

ACC 2024 Congress

Springer Medicine

An Examination of Denomination-Level Efforts in Congregation Health Programming

Abstract

ACC 2024 Congress

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Please log in to get access to this content

Other articles of this Issue 2/2019

Does Religion Predict Health-Promoting Behaviors in Community-Dwelling Elderly People?

Predicting the Happiness of Adolescents Based on Coping Styles and Religious Attitudes

Beyond Good and Evil: Doing Ethics in the Clinic. A Lecture Celebrating 25 Years of the Philip Hallie Lecture, College of Letters, Wesleyan University, November 2, 2018

Repetition Compulsion Revisited in Relational Family Therapy: The Discovery of Old in Order to Develop Something New

An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of a Religious Conversion

Midwifery Students’ Perceptions of Spirituality and Spiritual Care: An Example from Western Turkey