intervention group received eleven 90-minute weekly group sessions that focused on healthy lifestyle behaviors, plus three motivational interviewing sessions delivered monthly by community health workers.
Participants in the control group received one lifestyle session on hypertension management plus 10 informational sessions on health education topics that were led weekly by health experts. After six months, researchers saw a net reduction of 5.8 mm Hg in systolic blood pressure in the intervention group compared to the control group.
Results such as these let us know that specific health interventions targeted for black churchgoers over a period can result in positive health outcomes for those who participate. If you are interested in starting a health and wellness ministry at your church or enhancing it, now is the time.
Suggested interventions can focus on a variety of health promotion activities that are needed in the black community. These can range from wellness screenings to weight reduction techniques such as diet and exercise, smoking cessation, and parenting effectiveness. Let’s alleviate the word CHALLENGE and turn it into CHANGE that improves our health.
Latiena Williams serves as President of Health Care Ministries in South Florida Progressive Missionary Baptist Association under the leadership of Reverend Brian K. Brown and is a member of St. Mark M.B. Church in St. Petersburg, Florida
Faith-based intervention successful at managing hypertension in black communities, new study finds. (2018, October 27). Obesity, Fitness & Wellness Week, 619. Retrieved from http://link.galegroup.com.ezproxy.lib.usf.edu/apps/doc/A559086632/HRCA?u=tamp44898&sid=HRCA&xid=c315f6a4