The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships (CFNP) made history on Sept. 19, teaming with faith leaders across the nation to sign a first-of-its-kind memorandum of understanding in an effort to address health disparities plaguing Black communities.
“This dynamic group of leaders is committed to addressing health disparities, with a specific focus on African American communities. This meeting represents an opportunity to discuss innovative strategies for partnerships aimed at advancing critical public health initiatives,” the Administration for Children and Families (HHS) said in a press release.
Held at the Hubert H. Humphrey Building on Thursday, Sept. 19, the collaborative meeting entitled “Reimagining Partnerships: Engaging Faith-Based Communities in Philanthropy and Foundations,” presented an extensive program examining faith-based philanthropy, the impact of community engagement, support in health and human services and more.
Health leaders and organizations including the Department of Health and Human Services Chief of Staff Sean McCluskie, the Rev. Dr. Que English, director of the CFNP, and Rawle Andrews Jr., Esq., executive director of the American Psychiatric Association Foundation, spearheaded the proceeding press conference. They underscored the benefits of partnering with national faith leaders to promote optimal health and well-being for African American persons and communities.
“You guys are trusted leaders in those communities [facing some of the greatest health disparities]. You are really the folks who connect people so they have better health care outcomes,” McCluskie said to attending faith leaders. “If there is health available in this country, no matter who you are, you should have access to it.”
Health Risks in the African American Community
Through the partnership, the collective aims to tackle leading health disparities, including some of the most prevalent issues crippling African American communities including maternal mortality, mental health, chronic diseases, and substance abuse disorder among several other issues.
When considering chronic illnesses, the National Institute of Health reports that Black Americans “are twice as likely to develop diabetes or to die of sudden cardiac arrest compared to white Americans.” Likewise, they show an earlier onset and higher rates of arthritis, elevated blood pressure, and cancer, while being more likely to endure comorbidities from these conditions.
Maternal mortality rates have been a growing crisis among Black women in the United States, as Black women are nearly three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than white women. Several factors contribute to these disparities, including underlying chronic conditions, variations in quality healthcare, and structural racism.
The Department of Health and Human Services has backed multiple initiatives to address health disparities in some of the most underserved communities, such as the Maternal Outcomes Matter Showers (MOMS) Tour, which was created to spread information and provide health care services related to maternal health. The tour has connected 5,000 women to mental health services, 800 women to doula and midwifery services, and over 500 to healthcare coverage.
Additionally, the partnership has developed toolkits to help guide faith leaders in supporting people in recovery from substance use disorders. Becerra said that the partnership provides a mental health guide, along with a final guide to address the prevention of suicide in youth.
“There’s a bigger crisis of modern youth and environmental health, and folks falling into substance use. It is [a] tragedy to see young lives struggling so hard, and the world is just changing fast,” said McCluskie.
With faith leaders having a significant influence on the health behavior of community members, the collective of community leaders are striving for a greater impact in community health interventions. They also hope to lessen the societal stigma surrounding seeking health help, particularly as it pertains to mental health.
“If you tell us that ‘we have the devil in us, because [someone] is ‘struggling with a mental health condition,’ or that ‘certain people can’t sit in the main sanctuary because they’re a problem,’ then we have got to rethink and redesign what our option is for the least of these,” said Andrews Jr.