title: The underserved aged and the role of the African American church.
abstract: Historically, the church has been a central institution in the life of the African American community, and caring for bodies, as well as souls, has been a critical aspect of its ministry. The significance of this role will increase in importance in the foreseeable future given the escalating costs of health care services. There is an increasing realization that churches must be involved in the provision of health services if society is to improve the health status of this population. This paper examines the role of the African American church in providing formal and informal health care services to the underserved aged.
authors.affiliation: College of Public Service & Urban Affairs at Tennessee State University, 330 10th Avenue, Suite E-405, Nashville, TN 37203, USA. asamuels01@tnstate.edu
authors.forename: A Dexter
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Samuels
mesh_terms: D001741:Black or African American / Q000208:ethnology*; D000368:Aged; D002977:Clergy; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000458:organization & administration; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000458:organization & administration; D006299:Health Services for the Aged / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D006801:Humans; D008507:Medically Underserved Area; D017057:Medically Uninsured / Q000208:ethnology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011157:Population Dynamics; D012068:Religion and Medicine