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Partnership of African-American Churches Highlights Health Care

Posted on: Thursday, 29 September 2005, 00:00 CDT

By Ben Calwell

bcalwell@cnpapers.com

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, African-Americans and other minorities, on average, die earlier than white people from a range of diseases, including diabetes and AIDS.

To call attention to the health concerns of minorities, the Partnership of African-American Churches, based in Institute, hosted a Health Symposium Saturday, Sept. 17 in the Martin Luther King Center, 314 Donally St. in Charleston.

The event was part of PAAC's ongoing efforts to address issues of concern to African-American and other minority communities in West Virginia.

The symposium coincided with "Take a Loved One for a Checkup Day" on Sept. 20, which was part of DHH's Closing the Health Gap Campaign aimed at educating African-Americans and others about the health gap between these groups and the general population of the United States.

The symposium "consisted of several health screenings to make the community aware of the health gap," said Wendy Moore, a community health worker with PAAC.

Moore said that as a result of inadequate health care, poor diet and lack of exercise, "it is a known fact that African-Americans and other minorities have a higher rate of diabetes and other diseases."

In addition to a variety of health screenings, the symposium served as an educational forum on "cholesterol and high blood pressure and the importance of a healthy diet," Moore said.

Additionally, there were exhibits and information on common health issues including tobacco prevention and inadequate health care coverage. Information on improving diets was also provided.

According to the DHH's Closing the Health Gap Web site (www.healthgap.omhrc.gov/), "the national campaign is designed to improve the health of racial and ethnic minority populations, who are affected by serious diseases and health conditions at far greater rates than other Americans."

Take a Loved One for a Checkup Day on Sept. 20 was part of the health gap campaign's annual push to emphasize the importance of regular medical checkups. It encourages people to visit or make an appointment with a doctor, dentist, nurse practitioner or other health professional.

Moore said PAAC was formed in July 2000. It is a collaborative, nonprofit, faith-based community development corporation based in Institute. The organization serves all communities, but focuses on the African-American communities in West Virginia. In addition to health concerns, PAAC is active in education, economic and crime prevention issues.

"We are affiliated with 16 churches throughout the state," Moore said.

Locally, PAAC churches include New Covenant Missionary Baptist, Liberty Baptist, Institute Church of the Nazarene, West Side Nazarene and Shiloh Baptist.

Additionally, PAAC has partnered with the Marshall University Center for Rural Health, Black Medical Professionals, the state Attorney General's office, Kanawha Valley Rural Heatlh Education Program and Believe in West Virginia.

For more information about PAAC, call 768-7688.

Staff writer Ben Calwell can be reached via e-mail, or by calling 348-5188.

Source: Charleston Gazette, The

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