The Health and Health Behaviors of a Sample of African American Pastors

Abstract

There is growing concern for the health status of clergy in light of recent studies showing high rates of chronic health conditions and obesity. This manuscript examined the health and health behaviors of South Carolinian African Methodist Episcopal (AME) pastors (n=40). A majority of pastors were overweight or obese (93%) with hypertension (68%); half had two or more chronic health conditions, 35% had high cholesterol, 30% arthritis, and 20% diabetes. On average, pastors had a waist circumference that put them at an increased risk for disease. Yet, with the exception of fruit and vegetable consumption (mean=3.4 ±4.0 cups/day), pastors generally engaged in positive health behaviors. Understanding where the greatest needs lie is the first step in developing programs that can improve pastor health, which may ultimately improve the health of their congregations.

Health Behaviors and Preventive Healthcare Utilization Among African–American Attendees at a Faith-Based Public Health Conference: Healthy Churches 2020

“…It was expected that individuals electing to attend a health-focused conference and those involved in health promotion activities within their respective congregations would demonstrate a greater degree of optimal health behaviors than the larger communities that they serve. Similarly, Baruth and colleagues demonstrated suboptimal physical activity and fruit and vegetable consumption among African-American pastors (Lumpkins et al 2013;Baruth et al 2014). Poor health outcomes in 2 geographically separate African-American congregations correlated directly with their health attitudes and beliefs reaffirming the need for health education and promotion in the African-American church (Lewis and Green 2000).…”

“…It is plausible that our findings are consistent with the fact that pastors and health ministry leaders face challenges engaging in healthy lifestyle practices such as following a healthy diet and maintaining a regular physical activity regime. Prior studies show that the health behaviors of clergy are poor due to the high physical and emotional demands of their profession (Webb et al 2013;Baruth et al 2014Baruth et al , 2015Lindholm et al 2016). One study indicated clergy had high self-reported good health despite actually having a high prevalence of chronic health conditions.…”

“…It also posited that clergy may be uncomfortable discussing health-related issues due to their own unhealthy lifestyles (Baruth et al 2014). Several bodies of literature to date have shown that the health practices of African-American clergy have a direct influence on their congregation members (Austin and Harris 2011; Baruth et al 2013Baruth et al , 2014Baruth et al , 2015Webb et al 2013;Rowland and Isaac-Savage 2014;Lindholm et al 2016). Also, the health status of a clergy member can determine their attitude and motivation toward implementing health-promoting activities within their church.…”

“…Faith-based health promotion initiatives suffer when pastors are not supportive of the health promotion strategies (Webb et al 2013;Baruth et al 2015). Because pastors and church auxiliary leaders are held in high regard and viewed as agents of change, they play a significant role in shaping the physical and social environments of their faith communities to promote health and wellness (Baruth et al 2013(Baruth et al , 2014(Baruth et al , 2015. Thus, faith-based public health conferences can play a role in providing clergy and health ministry leaders with education on self-care and proper training on effective health promotion within their churches and faith-based organizations.…”

“…Several studies have examined the lifestyle practices including healthy diet and regular physical activity of African-American clergy and their influence on the health and wellness of their congregations (Baruth et al 2013;Harmon et al 2013;Lumpkins et al 2013;Webb et al 2013;Baruth et al 2014;Rowland and Isaac-Savage 2014;Baruth et al 2015;Lindholm et al 2016). However, there is a paucity of studies examining the health behaviors and preventive healthcare usage of church and health ministry leaders within the African-American faith community.…”