Mary Sutherland

Community health promotion: The church as partner

The purpose of this paper is to review the literature relative to church-based health promotion programs to assist health professionals in establishing effective prevention alliances with African-American churches. While the literature describing the role of churches, particularly African-American, is limited, the available evidence supports the assertion that many churches are engaged in providing primary prevention, preventive health, and social services to at risk populations. Two mini-cases, illustrative of programs which have been reported in the literature, are presented. What each program had in common is an alliance between ministers, health professionals, and trained church volunteers. Pastors acted as gatekeepers and advocates for a health program. The health professionals served as consultants (particularly in technical design, training, and evaluation). Interested church members, once trained, conducted health programs serving themselves, fellow members, and their community.

Health Promotion for Older Rural African Americans: Implications for Social and Public Policy

Specialized health promotion programs are essential for older African Americans because of the increased health risks that this population faces. Since 1983, we developed and provided specialized health promotion programs to older rural minority populations in North Florida. Using a modified Planned Approach to Community Health (P.A.T.C.H.) promotion development model, these programs attempt to empower the local population to assess and pnoritize their health needs and to improve their own level of health. From our experience evolved social and public policy recommendations that encompass cultural acceptability, state and federal support of local control and leadership, reinforced family structures, and access to services. The ultimate goal of our recommendations was to lower disability and improve life expectancy.

Health Promotion in Southern Rural Black Churches: A Program Model

Abstract Described are initial organizational processes for a Southern, rural, African-American church-based health promotion program. Criteria for selection of churches included a supportive pastor and church decision makers, as well as an enthusiastic church health committee of six to 10members. Church health committees participated in a six week training program where they planned their individual programs considering individual needs and available resources using an action plan format. Successful programs generally included direct instruction; Quarterly Health Sundays; integration of health activities into other church structures; limited screening activities; and community awareness activities.

Late-lie drinking among women

Although alcoholism exists among older people, the number of cases is unknown, and many alcoholics, particularly women, are unidentified. Late-onset alcoholism is a risk condition for older women. Nurses are in a strategic position to recognize this underidentified condition and to assist affected women in understanding what caused them to rely on alcohol.

Strengthening Rural Youth Resiliency through the Church

Abstract A coalition of six African American churches in Jackson County, Florida was formed in the mid-1980s, first to provide prevention services to older church and community members. Alliance services were expanded later to include alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs (ATOD) at-risk youth. Project year one (1991) (or fiscal year 1991–92) served as the baseline comparison year. Each church was of a size where all participating youth could be identified and given the opportunity to contribute data. Accordingly, these same youth were surveyed both in project years one and four (fiscal year 1994–95). Data were gathered by trained interviewers using jury validated questionnaires. Self-reports of substance use have been found to be relatively stable across time. Significance was tested using the chi-square test for equality of proportions. There is strong indication of substantial behavior change. Fifteen of the 34 target attitudes and behaviors showed statistically significant changes. In general, most of the ...

Jackson county partnership: developing an effective coalition.

The Community Partnership Demonstration Program allows a community to develop and carry out a long-range, comprehensive, and self-sustaining alcohol and other drug abuse prevention program. A case study that shows the use of coalition building to carry out a prevention program is presented. The case study is followed by a discussion of the principles involved in forming and maintaining a coalition. Discussion about using the coalition method for implementing health promotion and prevention programs in rural or underserved communities and the important role that health educators can play follow.

A Community Organization—Peer Facilitated Senior Citizen Health Promotion Program

This project addressed hypertension, considering the variables of exercise, weight, blood pressure measurement, medication compliance, and nutritional practices while incorporating principles of self-responsibility for health. Major intervention activities included a three-times weekly exercise program; weekly weigh-ins; bi-weekly blood pressure checks; physician referral for anti-hypertensive prescriptions/maintenance; diet instruction; and peer facilitated health educational activities. Additionally, community support and project volunteers were obtained via various community organization strategies, such as community meetings, newspaper articles, or from advisory board activities. Major “everyday grass roots” responsibilities for program implementation were carried out by a peer senior citizen community organizer and a peer senior citizen health educator, with strong guidance from the Area Agency on Aging. Evaluation activities were based on the measurable impact and process objectives. T-tests were used to analyze weight and blood pressure pre-post data for the seventeen mostly female clients with an age range of sixty-four to eighty-eight and a mean age of seventy-five. T-values for weight, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure were 21.02, 2.09, and 11.08, respectively, indicating significance (.00 or .05 level). Lastly, fourteen individuals lost a total of eighty-nine pounds; six individuals were able to re-enter acceptable blood pressure limits; and participants are accepting greater responsibility for their own health.

Education in the medical care setting: needs assessment for nursing services.

This case study is designed to demonstrate examples of various procedures necessary for the establishment, implementation, and evaluation of a formal patient education program that meets the standards of the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospital Standards on Patient Care Evaluation. Presented are some “real world” strategies necessary for task accomplishment.