Health Programs and Faith Based Organizations Partnerships

4898303_Health Programs and Faith Based Organizations Partnerships

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Introduction

The health of any nation’s populations has been one of the main concerns of many governments. This is especially considering that health determines the strength of every other sector of the economy of a nation. This underlines the importance of ensuring that every effort is made to enhance the health of the populace, including the adoption of varied health promotion programs, as well as partnering with varied bodies. Studies show that health promotion programs and partnerships with Faith Based Organizations (FBO) would be effective in enhancing the provision of social services and preventative health to at-risk populations (Daven et al, 2004).

These partnerships have enhanced access to healthcare services for 43 million uninsured individuals in the United States. Research shows that uninsured individuals have a lower likelihood of seeking necessary healthcare and even to be hospitalized for preventable ailments (Daven et al, 2004). According to a study by the National Congregations, approximately 57% of the entire United States population takes part in varied social services delivery programs such as food, clothing, housing, homelessness, domestic violence and employment programs (Daven et al, 2004). It goes without saying that the effective selection of the appropriate strategies and theories is crucial for the success of health behavior outcomes (Glanz & Rimer, 2003).

Numerous models have been devised in an effort to address health problems in the American society. However, the Health Belief Model (HBM) has been touted as one of the most effective as it allows FBO to effectively address numerous healthcare problems for individuals in a community setting. Obese and overweight individuals, through their perception of susceptibility, use their perceptions of the health risk levels pertaining to being obese and overweight to customize the risk information to their unique behaviors and characteristics (Glanz & Rimer, 2003). These people come up with an accurate perception of their risk while the benefit that comes with avoiding the threat influences their decision to take action (Glanz & Rimer, 2003).

Once the Faith Based Organisation has moved extended the invitation via the Health Based Belief, it moves to the Transtheoretical Model (TTM) or Stages of Change Model. This model refers to an integrative model pertaining to behavioral change. It integrated key constructs from numerous theories and outlines how individuals change or eliminate problem behavior or takes on a positive behavior. The model outlines intentional change and concentrates on the individual decision making. The model has its central constructs as the Stages of Change, thereby underlining the fact that the modification of behavior is a process rather than an event (Glanz & Rimer, 2003). This theory outlines six stages for behavioral change including precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, maintenance, and termination.

This underlines the fact that the Transtheoretical Model would be effective in obese and overweight individuals, especially considering that this is a lifestyle condition and the model recognizes weight control maintenance as a process or continuous lifestyle change. Transtheoretical Model allows individuals to undertake a continuous process o

6 stages that incorporate flexibility to enter at different stages or relapse to an earlier stage with support (Glanz & Rimer, 2003).

It is imperative that patients are organized into small, interpersonal groups comprised of 6, 8 or 10 people for weight evaluation. This allows individuals to partner, as well as rely on each other for support, which is essential especially considering that most of the obese and overweight individuals suffer from low self-esteem. In addition, the patients should be meeting at the Faith Based Organization or another friendly, informal and comfortable location that allows for sharing, interaction and physical activity. This, therefore, excludes hospital and clinics as they may not be that friendly.

Meetings will be scheduled at a time with which all people are comfortable and should take a maximum of one hour. Once the patients have been inculcated into HBM and started acting on TTM, Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) would be introduced. Social cognitive theory outlines the manner in which individuals gain and maintain certain patterns of behavior and offers the basis for strategies of intervention. The evaluation of behavioral modification is dependent on varied factors including behavior, people and the environment. Social Cognitive Theory offers a framework for crafting, implementing, as well as evaluating the programs. This underlines its essential nature in the quest to trigger behavioral change in the Obese and Overweight individuals. Overweight and obese individuals will, essentially, have a sense of personal agency or self-efficacy that behavior modification can be obtained irrespective of the obstacles that stand in the way (Glanz & Rimer, 2003).

Reciprocal determinism will develop while modification of food choice alongside positive reinforcements will encourage behavior capabilities for group individuals. Cue to action workout T- Shirts would make incredible reinforcements for group health cohesiveness. These T-Shirts would have positive and innovative statements that will encourage individuals outside the group to change their risky health behavior. Patients would be requested to wear the T-Shirts during all exercise activities. Small group physical activities will be 3 times per week with core strengthening and walking. FBO Large groups will meet 3 times per week for aerobic exercise class given by a professional. All exercise activity should be only 30-40 minutes totaling 6 times per week.

Sessions will be limited to 8 weeks intervals so perceived benefits can be evaluated short term with reinforcements at 4 and 8 weeks. Once the individuals achieve the maximum weight control, they will graduate to maintenance level. They will be given Special reinforcement incentives at the end of 4 and 8 week sessions for the best outcome evaluations. Special items could include organic restaurant certificates, grocery store certificates, and gift credit cards that will promote new wardrobes for the new body. Individual progress will be encouraged through the promotion of Images every 4 weeks.

Encouraging the participation of the larger community

It is imperative that Communication channels between groups are encouraged along with recruitment of friends and family members. Overweight and obese children above 6 years of age will be encouraged to join the small and large group exercise activities. They will also be given T- Shirts for their active participation in the activities, thereby encouraging continued participation in the activities. Social Marketing and Diffusion of Innovation (DOI) will be used for health promotion programs welcoming the public and other community organizations.

Innovative recipes will be shared, and healthy dinners will be served on special occasions. Culinary Chef health experts will be hired so as to offer healthy cooking tips, as well as instruction classes. On the same note, weight control promotional items relating to healthy cooking, meal planning, and exercise will be sold so as to support rewards and prize incentives for best outcomes of weight control. It is imperative that Faith Based Organization leaders have strong participation, considering that they are seen as credible and effective role models.

Empowered FBO would promote community organization and other FBOs to combat health challenges, encouraging health competitions among entities. This creative health challenge would promote multiple, denominational church communities to collaborate and work as a group so as to encourage healthier lifestyles, as well as contribute larger incentives and rewards for FBO participation recognition.

References

DeHaven, M.J, Hunter, I.B, Wilder, L, Walton, J.W & Berry, J, (2004). Health Programs in Faith-Based Organizations: Are They Effective? American Journal of Public Health. 94(6): 1030–1036. PMCID: PMC1448385. Retrieved from HYPERLINK “http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1448385/” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1448385/

(Daven et al, 2004) (Glanz & Rimer, 2003)

Glanz, K. & Rimer, B.K. (2003). Theory at a Glance: A Guide for Health Promotion Practice. US Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health.