Dean Norfolk State University Norfolk, Virginia, United States
Overview: This presentation highlights a unique University-Community Partnership between Jackson State University School of Social Work, a Historically Black College/University in Jackson, MS, and New Horizon Church International (NHCI), a predominantly black congregation. This presentation advances African-American and the African Diaspora track by applying Africanist perspectives to interpret social service needs.Proposal text: Nationally, African Americans are generally at higher risk for heart diseases, stroke, cancer, asthma, influenza and pneumonia, diabetes, and HIV/AIDS (Woods-Giscombé & Black, 2010). Those individuals that are affected by these diagnoses are oftentimes found in impoverished communities. Health disparities are defined as systematic, plausibly avoidable health differences adversely affecting socially disadvantaged groups (Lee, Kim, Lee & Fawcett, 2020).
In light of persistent health disparities and unmet health needs in African American communities, there is a growing number of churches that have attempted to address the issues through several health programs (Health Promotion For African American, n.d.). These programs include health education, weight loss, smoking cessation, nutritional guidance, and mental health. When congregation leaders including pastors were asked to identify health needs in their congregations the majority agree that hypertension, diabetes, and obesity are common and pressing health issues in their congregations. They also reported that they have attempted to address these issues by offering programs in order to experience healthier congregations.
During the Spring/Early Summer of 2018, a collaborative research study was conducted to capture demographic and health-related information on primarily, but not exclusively, New Horizon Church International (NHCI) members. The study was collaboratively conducted by Jackson State University’s Mississippi Urban Research Center (MURC) and New Horizon Church International’s (NHCI) Health Ministry. A 23 item survey was administered to 164 participants. To follow-up survey responses, a six person focus group session was held to gather additional insight on health-related issues impacting the NHCI and surrounding community.
The major health conditions identified from the survey results were High Blood Pressure (50%), Diabetes (20%), and Obesity (18%). A high percentage (90%) of survey respondents reported having health insurance, and listed as their top three reasons for not seeking medical care “No Time” (23%), “Can’t Afford It” (19%), and “Can Treat Myself” (15%). Noteworthy focus group findings included (1) participants stating some church and community members do not know where to get health information; (2) in spite of efforts promoting health and wellness, the church has experienced limited success in getting members to eat “healthy foods” in the church cafeteria; and (3) the identification of faith playing a major role in promoting “healing” at NHCI.
The primary focus of this partnership has been to establish a resource center at NHCI that will allow for the provision of health education-related services targeting chronic health diseases; will promote health literacy and advocacy among church and community members; will provide health education modules and other examples of health promoting models/activities; and will allow for periodic and ongoing health training activities.
Methods Semi-structured interviews will be employed to collect data from participants in the Health and Wellness programs sponsored by JSU and NHCI collaborative. Responses from participants will be cleaned for clarity and soundness; lastly, the authors will conduct a thematic analysis that will generate content responses that will then be matched to the principles of Nguzo Saba. Results of this study, will reinforce the need for culturally relevant social work practice in urban communities.
