How faith based organizations (FBOs) Can Promote Better Health In Their Community

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Faith based organizations (FBOs) are uniquely positioned to expand their congregation’s opportunities for learning about & leading a healthy lifestyle.

However, according to a recent study conducted among 844 faith leaders throughout the U.S., over 77% of clergy members were overweight or obese.

While certain barriers such as a lack of medical insurance, fear, language, embarrassment, and beliefs in fatalism might contribute to the poor health of some church members, faith based organizations have the opportunity to step in to offer services to those that they might not otherwise have access to.

Faith-based leaders can counteract unhealthy lifestyles by providing accurate health information, addressing cultural beliefs about health and addressing behaviors which could lead to the development of chronic disease.

For instance, FBOs can contribute to improving the health of their community by:

• Offering health related ministries;
• Providing peer counselors;
• Having leadership set the example; and
• Organizing outreach efforts centered around eating healthy and being more physically active.

Learn more about this from the team at Urban Strategies’ & Community Health Connectors by clicking here.

Access the Communications & Preventive Health Messages on Diabetes and Disabilities for Faith-Based Organizations here.

Access more tools & ideas from the Community Health Connectors website below:
• Faith Audience Engagement Tips: Slideshow with concrete ideas and results on reaching faith communities
• Health Care from the Pulpit Action Guide (including Spanish) and toolkit
• Strategy: Partner with Trusted Messengers from Faith-Based Organizations