Faith-Health Model
Why churches? The Faith-Health Model
Physicians and other health care providers are being called upon to treat and manage epidemic levels of chronic disease. Chronic diseases presently account for the majority of deaths each year and for about 75% of the nation’s medical care costs. The problem is especially significant among low-income individuals and ethnic minorities who suffer a disproportionate share of the chronic disease burden.
There is overwhelming evidence that the disorders and enormous direct and indirect costs associated with chronic illnesses are in large part preventable. Modifiable disease risk factors based on lifestyle and behavior, for example, account for about 50% of premature mortality due to lung cancer, colon cancer, cirrhosis, coronary heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes mellitus, and injuries resulting from risky behavior. However, the present health care delivery system devotes about 95% of its resources to treating heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, and obesity, and only about 5% to preventing them.
Reducing chronic disease prevalence in at-risk communities requires the active cooperation and participation of community-based institutions. In the inner city and when working with vulnerable patient populations, churches and other faith-based organizations (FBOs) are a logical choice for participating in health-related community activities for several reasons. Churches have experience and are frequently involved in health promotion in their communities and congregations, and are often a focal point for community-based health initiatives. They frequently offer health education, screening and management of high blood pressure and diabetes, weight loss and smoking cessation programs, cancer prevention and awareness, geriatric care, nutritional guidance, mental illness and other activities related to primary and secondary prevention.
Research conducted by our collaborative team at the UT Southwestern Medical Center, Division of Community Health Sciences, indicates that health programs in congregations can produce significant long – term benefits to patients residing in the inner city. These 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. But 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. By integrating sound and scientific health principles with the Church’s traditional ministry of service to those in need, congregations offer the possibility of producing significant and permanent changes in the lives of those who suffer from the effects of often preventable chronic disease. These diseases frequently have more to do with modifiable risk factors related to lifestyle and behavior choices, than with genetics or inadequate access to medical care.