The Black Church: Promoting Health, Fighting Disparities

Abstract

This chapter illustrates the role of the Black church in promoting health awareness and healthy behaviors, and in fighting health disparities.

Where Our Bright Star Is Cast: Religiosity, Spirituality, and Positive Black Development in Urban Landscapes

“…Importantly, research consistently demonstrates that religiosity and spirituality play critical roles in buffering against the stresses and negative developmental consequences of life in the city for urban-residing Black youth and adults (Butler- Barnes et al 2012;Kim et al 2018;Rowland and Isaac-Savage 2014;Sullivan 2008).…”

“…Religious institutions also support the positive material, social, moral, educational, physical, and behavioral outcomes of Black community members by providing outreach and in-reach programs and initiatives including social events (e.g., concerts, dances), educational programs, leadership opportunities, health initiatives, financial supports, and family support programs (Beyerlein and Chaves 2003;Brown and Brown 2003;Caldwell et al 1995;Jeynes 2002;Johnson and Carter-Edwards 2015;Morris 1996;McRoberts 2003;Rowland and Isaac-Savage 2014;Sullivan 2008). Further, these institutions support positive development by noticing and building on the talents, intellectual resources, and skills of individuals within the community and by cultivating in people a sense of responsibility to use these assets for both personal development and family and community enrichment (Gilkes 2001;Grayman-Simpson and Mattis 2013;Mamiya 2006;Reese et al 2007).…”

“…Urban life can inspire a range of emotions (e.g., joy, fear, anger) and emotional states (e.g., depression) that affect development. Peoples' cognitions and emotions have implications for their ability to develop such positive outcomes as hope/optimism, forgiveness, perseverance, and life satisfaction (Bennett 2011;Mattis et al 2009Mattis et al , 2017Mattis 2002;Rowland and Isaac-Savage 2014;Taylor et al 2004;Yeh et al 2011). Cognitions, emotions, and actions intersect to inform development.…”

Black Males in Black Churches

“…The United Church of Christ (United Church of Christ, ), the National Baptist Convention (Hope, ), and the AME Church (AMEC, ) have developed national health ministries to serve the health and wellness needs of their congregations. This is espoused by Rowland and Isaac‐Savage () who stated, the “Black church has served as a vehicle for healthcare and health promotions activities to address the health concerns, needs, and most importantly, the disparities in healthcare that plague the Black community” (p. 19). Prostate cancer educational programs have evolved from printed materials (Holt et al., ) to multimedia programs (Emerson, Reece, Levine, Hull, & Husaini, 2009) to active learning programs with peer leaders (Holt et al., ; Langford, Griffith, Beasley, & Braxton, 2014).…”

“…Historically in America as Blacks were relegated to low‐class citizenship, disrespected, and oppressed, they needed a place to combat societal ills they faced daily. The Black church was that haven (Lincoln & Mamiya, ; Rowland & Isaac‐Savage, ). Mattis et al () further explain that even today, among other things, the Black church provides political, material, and psychological support.…”