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Subject:
New nationwide health survey from the National
Council of Churches
Date: September 25, 2007
We are passing
along an outstanding survey result done by the National Council
of Churches.
New survey
shows churches count health care as a priority ministry
Seventy percent
of participating churches provide direct health services
New York,
Sept. 18, 2007 - A groundbreaking survey of more than 6,000 American
congregations reveals that churches spend a significant amount
of time, energy and money in the ministries of health care.
The Congregational
Health Ministry Survey, conducted by the National Council of Churches
USA (NCC) with support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation,
shows that a majority of churches are ministering to their communities
by providing health care ministries. As the number of uninsured
Americans reaches 47 million people, congregations are supplying
health education and direct health care services. Many are advocating
on behalf of public policy issues related to health care.
According
to the survey, about 70 percent of responding churches provide
direct health services, with 65 percent offering health education
programs within their community. The survey defines direct services
as provision of medical care to individuals by trained health
care professionals.
"It is
not surprising to find that churches see health care as a part
of their faith mission and mandate," said Rev. Dr. Eileen
W. Lindner, deputy general secretary of the NCC for Research and
Planning, who supervised the survey. "The results of this
survey confirm a higher energy for health care than we might have
thought, however, and show that effective health care ministries
are being developed by congregations of all sizes to meet the
urgent needs of their communities."
NCC leaders
say that results of the survey will provide important information
for denominational structures, ecumenical agencies, health officials
and national policy makers.
"With
our national health care system cracked and breaking, this survey
shows that churches across the country are doing their best to
fill the gaps," said Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, M.D., M.B.A., president
and CEO of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. "Faith communities
have a long and important tradition of providing health services
to the most vulnerable in our nation. Now that one in seven Americans
has no insurance, and therefore has difficulty accessing needed
health care, the work of our churches has never been more important.
The bottom line, however, is that they cannot shoulder this burden
alone. The health care crisis is a national problem that needs
national, bipartisan solutions."
The survey
released today found that:
Reporting
congregations each have an average of 13.07 health-related activities.
The sample of 6,037 responding congregations reported a staggering
total of 78,907 health ministry programs.
Nearly 300
African American congregations responded to the survey, reporting
the same creativity and variety of health care ministries as the
total sample.
Most reporting congregations provided health care ministries to
members and non-members alike.
The results
indicate that 51 percent of responding congregations offer direct
financial support to individuals who need help paying their medical
bills.
Public policy
advocacy was provided by 35 percent of the reporting congregations.
Advocacy is accomplished through preaching, group discussions,
voter education, communications with government and health care
providers and other activities.
Direct services
reported include counseling, 12-Step Programs, emergency medical
funding, mental health counseling, and even the professional support
of a parish nurse or health minister.
Education
programs include providing information on the prevention of disease,
maintaining the health of senior citizens, medical programs, and
ways to overcome diseases ranging from obesity to HIV/AIDS.
"Local
congregations are demonstrating that the volume and scope of health
care needs are enormous. They have shown an incredible ability
to leverage health care services in extremely creative, innovative
and cost-effective ways," said Rev. Lindner. "They know
their communities and they respond to their specific needs."
To access
the full health survey, log onto:
http://www.ncccusa.org/pdfs/healthsurveyfinal.html
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