Faith & Health: Transforming Communities Mimi Kiser Interfaith Health Program Emory University, Atlanta, GA USA September 2005

Objectives Share with you: Background and mission of the Interfaith Health Program (IHP) Background and mission of the Interfaith Health Program (IHP) Conceptual model of determinants of health – where is “religion” most transformative? Conceptual model of determinants of health – where is “religion” most transformative? Two IHP “Cornerstone Programs” Two IHP “Cornerstone Programs” –Africa Religious Health Assets Program –Institute for Public Health and Faith Collaborations

Interfaith Health Program A Movement Toward Wholeness: The Interfaith Health Program vision is for all the assets and strengths of faith and health groups to be aligned with the most relevant public health knowledge and the most mature faith.

Interfaith Health Program The Case for Faith and Health: Our goal is justice – a word implying, shalom, peace, wholeness, virtue and well being, not only of individuals, but of communities and the social connectedness from which we each can find meaning, hope, and sustenance. (

8 Congregational Strengths Strength to accompany Strength to accompany Strength to convene Strength to convene Strength to connect Strength to connect Strength to frame, story Strength to frame, story Strength to bless Strength to bless Strength to give sanctuary Strength to give sanctuary Strength to pray Strength to pray Strength to endure Strength to endure Deeply Woven Roots, Gary Gunderson

Social-Ecological Model Broad Conditions and Policies Living and Working Conditions Social, Family, and Community Networks Individuals IOM, “Understanding Population Health and Its Determinants”, In 21st Century Report, 2003

African Religious Health Assets © To understand, assess, and map the presence, growth, and impact of Religious Health Assets, beginning in Africa, in fostering health as defined by the World Health Organization To understand, assess, and map the presence, growth, and impact of Religious Health Assets, beginning in Africa, in fostering health as defined by the World Health Organization To provide interdisciplinary tools and methods and an organizational framework for research To provide interdisciplinary tools and methods and an organizational framework for research To strengthen leadership and organizational capacity at all levels – from local efforts to transnational policymaking – through Exec. Seminars and other educational experiences To strengthen leadership and organizational capacity at all levels – from local efforts to transnational policymaking – through Exec. Seminars and other educational experiences To provide evidence for decision-, policy-making, and resource allocation To provide evidence for decision-, policy-making, and resource allocation

African Religious Health Assets © Short term outcomes: To test and deploy a “ suite ” of research tools for “ Asset Identification and Mapping ” To test and deploy a “ suite ” of research tools for “ Asset Identification and Mapping ” To develop a framework and structure for application of Religious Health Assets at the community, regional, and national levels To develop a framework and structure for application of Religious Health Assets at the community, regional, and national levels To address high-priority issues, especially the HIV/AIDS pandemic To address high-priority issues, especially the HIV/AIDS pandemic

RHA Matrix RHA Matrix –Individual phenomena may cross quadrants –Axes –Axes are continua  Most existing tools survey only the Tangible/Direct quadrant NEXT

Institute for Public Health and Faith Collaborations Goal: Foster the capacity of public health systems and faith organizations to improve the health and wholeness of their communities through: 1) joint leadership development; 2) implementation of systems change action plans; and 3) elimination of health disparities.

Institute for Public Health and Faith Collaborations (cont’d) Accomplishments to date: Created a transformative model and curriculum for interfaith leadership development and community capacity building Created a transformative model and curriculum for interfaith leadership development and community capacity building Trained 65 teams of 303 leaders in 20 states Trained 65 teams of 303 leaders in 20 states Linked teams in a national network of faith-health collaboratives Linked teams in a national network of faith-health collaboratives

Calling and Accountability that drives their action towards the vision. That does not fear but cultivates the wisdom of …. Community Transformation A community being made whole through the aligned action of transformed people who ask the questions of … Eliminate Disparities/Nurture Common Hope as the disparities give way, the historical despair of our labor turns into a shared hope that drives action and expands impact for …. Faith & Health Alignment is a convergence of two unique streams moving together creating a greater outcome than either alone, in order to … Shared Vision of healthier communities – a new and possible reality for all who suffer – a vision where …. Transformative Relationships where the depth of involvement leads to a level of knowing each other that changes how they see themselves and gives birth to a new … Boundary Leadership Those who see new possibilities at the edges of what is currently visible. Those people driven to find solutions for the pain in communities. As they meet they form …. Institute Core Values Framework