Stirring up the mud: using a community-based participatory approach to address health disparities through a faith-based initiative

Sue A. Kaplan, Charmaine Ruddock, Maxine Golub, Joyce Davis, Robert Foley, Carlos Devia, Rosa Rosen, Carolyn Berry, Brenda Barretto, Toni Carter, Evalina Irish-Spencer, Maria Marchena, Ellenrita Purcaro, Neil Calman

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

33 Scopus citations

Abstract

This case study provides a mid-course assessment of the Bronx Health REACH faith-based initiative four years into its implementation. The study uses qualitative methods to identify lessons learned and to reflect on the benefits and challenges of using a community-based participatory approach for the development and evaluation of a faith- based program designed to address health disparities. Key findings concern the role of pastoral leadership, the importance of providing a religious context for health promotion and health equality messages, the challenges of creating a bilingual/bi-cultural program, and the need to provide management support to the lay program coordinators. The study also identifies lessons learned about community-based evaluation and the importance of addressing community concern about the balance between evaluation and program. Finally, the study identifies the challenges that lie ahead, including issues of program institutionalization and sustainability.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1111-1123
Number of pages13
JournalJournal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved
Volume20
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2009
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Community-based participatory research
  • Faith-based initiatives
  • Health disparities
  • Race/ethnicity

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