Health programs in faith-based organizations: are they effective?
OBJECTIVE
We examined the published literature on health programs in faith-based organizations to determine the effectiveness of these programs.


METHODS
We conducted a systematic literature review of articles describing faith-based health activities. Articles (n = 386) were screened for eligibility (n = 105), whether a faith-based health program was described (n = 53), and whether program effects were reported (28).


RESULTS
Most programs focused on primary prevention (50.9%), general health maintenance (25.5%), cardiovascular health (20.7%), or cancer (18.9%). Significant effects reported included reductions in cholesterol and blood pressure levels, weight, and disease symptoms and increases in the use of mammography and breast self-examination.


CONCLUSIONS
Faith-based programs can improve health outcomes. Means are needed for increasing the frequency with which such programs are evaluated and the results of these evaluations are disseminated.
DeHaven
Mark J
MJ
Division of Community Medicine, Department of Family Practice and Community Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, 6263 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75390-9067, USA. mark.dehaven@utsouthwestern.edu
Hunter
Irby B
IB
Wilder
Laura
L
Walton
James W
JW
Berry
Jarett
J
D006293:Health Promotion; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012068:Religion and Medicine; D014481:United States; D014505:Urban Population