FAITH BASED PROGRAMS
[Main List]
Articles and Presentations
A review of faith-based HIV prevention programs.
Francis SA, Liverpool J.
Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Division of Public Health, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA. saf24@case.edu
J Relig Health. 2009 Mar;48(1):6-15. Epub 2008 Apr 4
http://www.springerlink.com/content/an87653860186220/
HIV disproportionately affects people of color, suggesting a need for innovative prevention programs and collaborations as part of prevention efforts. African Americans have close ties to the church and faith-based organizations. African American faith communities were slow to address HIV prevention, but in recent years, they have become more involved in such activities. This study reviews the empirical literature on faith-based HIV prevention programs among African American populations. Several successful faith-based/public health collaborations are identified, and the limitations and strengths of faith-based prevention programs are discussed. Recommendations are provided for developing effective faith-based/public health collaborations.
PMID: 19229620 [PubMed - in process]
Early results of a statewide initiative to involve faith communities in HIV prevention.
Tyrell CO, Klein SJ, Gieryic SM, Devore BS, Cooper JG, Tesoriero JM.
Division of HIV Prevention, New York State Department of Health, AIDS Institute, Albany, NY 12237, USA. cot01@health.state.ny.us
J Public Health Manag Pract. 2008 Sep-Oct;14(5):429-36
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18708885?ordinalpos=8&itool=Email.EmailReport.Pubmed_ReportSelector.Pubmed_DiscoveryPanel.Pubmed
_Discovery_RA&linkpos=4&log$=relatedarticles&logdbfrom=pubmed
In the United States, racial/ethnic health disparities persist across all leading health indicators. In 2005, African Americans accounted for half of all HIV/AIDS cases, but only 12 percent of the US population was African American. Since the beginning of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, the New York State Department of Health, AIDS Institute recognized the importance of faith communities' involvement in HIV prevention. A survey assessed faith community involvement in HIV prevention, identified barriers to involvement, and determined willingness to partner with HIV prevention programs. Although less than 25 percent of respondents reported involvement in HIV prevention, 50 percent were willing to meet with service providers. Those willing to meet included 74 percent of faith leaders with primarily African American congregants. On the basis of the survey and subsequent forums, a statewide initiative was created to involve faith communities in HIV prevention. An assessment of the statewide initiative showed that it has been highly effective in engaging faith community involvement, including a large number of African American faith communities. These findings have implications for future programming and can aid to further strengthen the statewide initiative.