What is Healthy Churches 2030?
The Balm In Gilead’s Healthy Churches 2030 Initiative is a national campaign, which seeks to incorporate key strategies and activities as outlined by the U.S. Health & Human Services, Healthy People 2030 Initiative into its network of congregational health ministries and programs.
Healthy Churches 2030 Initiative is keenly, focused on faith-based approaches to public health issues that support the integration of cultural and science-based strategies within congregations throughout urban and rural communities.
The Importance Of Healthy Churches 2030 In
Addressing Health Equity
Healthy Churches 2030 offers unique opportunities for faith communities to harness its influence to change societal norms, which are essential to increasing health equity among African Americans.
Key Determinants of Health
- Climate Change
- Poverty/Economical Issues
- Social norms
- Influencers/Change Agents
- Access to Healthcare
- Available Healthcare Resources
- Quality/Equitable Health Solutions
- Generational Factors
- Cultural Beliefs
- Healthy Literacy
Healthy Churches 2030 Initiative will strengthen and promote the capacity of congregations serving primarily African Americans to invest in evidence-based activities aimed at health promotion, disease management, clinical research engagement and overall well-being of mind, body and spirit. Congregations, led by their leaders, are encouraged and empowered to connect efforts of their health ministries in ways that mirror sustainable, effective public health efforts. Support will be provided to health ministries in various areas of capacity development, resulting in the delivery of programs and services that meet the needs of African Americans at the following levels.
Key Focus Areas
- Healthy Aging with focus on Alzheimer’s & Other Dementias
- Acute & Chronic Diseases Disproportionately Impacting African Americans
- African Americans and Food Security
- Maternal & Reproductive Health Issues
- Children & Youth Wellness
- Poverty & Other Socioeconomic Issues
- Trauma Informed Care & Mental Health of African Americans
Key Measures and Outcomes
Individual Level by 2030:
- Increase the number of individuals being served by congregational health programs and services.
- Reduce the overall burden of preventable diseases among African Americans served by congregational health programs and services.
- Increase positive health behaviors and outcomes among African-Americans served by congregational health programs and services.
- Increase disease state awareness, treatment education, and engagement in clinical studies of individuals being served by congregational health programs and services
Congregational Level By 2030:
- 80% of local congregations participating in the Healthy Churches 2030 Initiative will have an established health ministry.
- Participating Healthy Churches 2030 Initiative congregations will have successfully implemented three or more sustainable health programs related to HC2030 Key Focus Areas.
- Increase the number of Missionary Societies and Christian Education Departments participating in Healthy Churches 2030 Initiative with the organizational capacity to provide health resources, trainings, and activities to African-Americans.
Community Level By 2030:
40% of congregations participating in the Healthy Churches 2030 Initiative will have established bi-directional partnership with at least one of the following organizations: local health department, local academic institution, community-based organization, healthcare organization/system, for-profit/corporate partner.
50% of congregations participating in the Healthy Churches 2030 Initiative will have implemented two or more community programs that support one of the following: increased awareness regarding local health policy issues, increased access to health services/resources, increased financial literacy, increased access to job and/or educational opportunities for African Americans, increased access to quality food security.