R A C I A L A N D E T H N I C A P P R O A C H E S T O C O M M U N I T Y H E A LT H
“The church is strategically situated to communicate health messages of importance and also to heighten the awareness of our
friends and neighbors and constituents regarding the absence of fair and equitable delivery of health services to our communities.
We must be foot soldiers for medical justice.”
—Rev. Robert L. Foley, Sr., pastor, Cosmopolitan Church of the Lord Jesus
REACHing Blacks and Latinos
in Bronx, New York
Who We Are n Women in the South Bronx are 20 public health education programs, and
The Institute for Urban Family Health times more likely to die of diabetes community health advocacy programs.
coordinates the Bronx Health REACH than women living on the Upper n We also conducted a survey to identify
Coalition. East Side of Manhattan, a 10-minute community members living with or at
subway ride away. risk for diabetes. This information helped
n This coalition develops and implements us develop and tailor our programs.
community-based health promotion The Solution
programs focused on preventing n Research shows that improving nutri- Our Achievements
diabetes and related conditions. It also tion, increasing physical activity, losing n The faith-based outreach initiative
mobilizes community leaders to make 5%–7% of body weight, and having works with 22 churches to educate local
health equality a reality by addressing better access to preventive care can residents and empower them to adopt
local and state health policies. prevent or delay the onset of diabetes healthy lifestyles. This initiative includes
n We focus on black and Latino commu- or decrease the rate of poor outcomes. a program called Fine, Fit and Fabulous
nities in the southwestern area of the n In response to these findings, the that helps people make positive and
Bronx, which include 280,000 people Bronx Health REACH Coalition has sustainable changes to their eating
living in the following ZIP codes: implemented several programs, habits and activity levels.
10452, 10453, 10456, and 10457. including a faith-based outreach initia- n Local pastors include health messages in
tive, a nutrition and fitness initiative, their weekly sermons, and many churches
The Problem include health-related information in
n In the South Bronx, where more than their weekly church bulletins.
95% of the population is black or n The nutrition and fitness initiative
Latino, 18% of residents have works to improve residents’ access to
diabetes, 64% are overweight, and Racial and Ethnic Approaches healthy foods. New York City schools
24% are obese. to Community Health (REACH) have switched from whole milk to low-
n The death rate for heart disease is is a community-based public fat milk, neighborhood grocers carry
17% higher for people living in the health program funded by CDC low-fat milk and healthier snacks, and
Bronx compared with people living in to eliminate racial and ethnic local restaurants highlight their healthy
New York state. health disparities.
menu options.
www.cdc.gov/reach
U.S. Department of HealtH anD HUman ServiceS
centerS for DiSeaSe control anD prevention
Mobilizing Community Resources
B ronx District Public Health Office; New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene;
22 churches in the Faith-Based Outreach Network; Bronx Westchester Area Health Education
Center; Center for Health and Public Service Research, New York University; Center for Medicare
and Medicaid Services, New York Regional Office, Commission on the Public’s Health System;
Correction Community Linkage Program; New York City Department of Education, Region 1;
City University of New York, Lehman College, Department of Health Services; Health People;
Highbridge Community Life Center; Joyce Davis Associates; Leukemia & Lymphoma Society;
Math Arts Recreation Center After School Program; Mid-Bronx Senior Citizens Council;
Montefiore School Health Program; Mount Hope Housing Company; Neighborhood Self-Help for
Older Persons; New York State Department of Health, Diabetes Prevention and Control Program;
Healthy Hearts Program; Cornell University Cooperative Extension; New York Lawyers for the
Public Interest; Partners in Health; U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Civil Rights, Region II;
Women’s Housing and Economic Development Corporation.
Our Achievements, cont. n “In New York Schools, Whole Milk Is n “Separate and Unequal Care in New
n Our coalition produced a video called Cast from the Menu,” The New York York City.” Journal of Health Care Law
“Voices for Health Equality,” and we Times, February 2, 2006. and Policy 2006;9(1):105–120.
developed a cultural competency train- n “New York Pushing Better Diet in Poorer n “Making Health Equality a Reality: The
ing program for health care providers. Neighborhoods,” The New York Times, Bronx Takes Action.” Health Affairs
n We published Separate and Unequal: January 20, 2006. 2005;24(2):491–498.
Medical Apartheid in NYC, a report that n “Apartheid at Apple Hospitals,” New
examines the policies and practices that York Post, October 16, 2005. Keys to Lasting Change in Black
contribute to differences in access to and n “El Bronx en plan de comer saludable,” and Latino Communities
quality of health care for members of Hoy Nueva York, October 24, 2006. To develop and implement model community
different racial and ethnic groups. programs in black and Latino communi-
Generating New and ties, the Bronx Health REACH Coalition has
Our Future Exciting Science designed, developed, and implemented inter-
The Bronx Health REACH Coalition will n “Fostering Organizational Change ventions that reflect local cultures and have
expand its faith-based outreach initiative, Through a Community-Based Initia- become part of the targeted communities.
continue to develop and support a public tive.” Health Promotion Practice
policy agenda to address obesity, and 2006;7(3, suppl):181S–190S. We also have promoted policy changes that
conduct a community food assessment. n “Racial and Ethnic Disparities in help to sustain improvements in community
We also will promote a new medical Health: A View from the South Bronx.” health. We developed a health policy
reimbursement policy designed to offset Journal of Health Care for the Poor and agenda and mobilized community leaders
some of the underlying causes for the Underserved 2006;17(1):116–127. to educate government officials about this
separate and unequal health care system n “The Role of Faith-Based Institutions in agenda. Our coalition also has conducted
in New York City. Addressing Health Disparities: A Case research to identify the barriers to quality
Study of an Initiative in the Southwest health care; disseminated our findings to
Getting the Word Out Locally Bronx.” Journal of Health Care for the public policy makers, regulators, legislators,
n “Eateries Go on a Trim Fling,” Daily Poor and Underserved 2006;17 and health care officials; and developed
News, October 23, 2006. (2, suppl):9–19. recommendations for improvement.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Charmaine Ruddock, MS, Project Director, Bronx Health REACH Coalition
C/O IUFH, 16 East 16th St., New York, NY 10003
Phone: 212-633-0800 (ext. 291) • Fax: 212-989-2840
E-mail: cruddock@institute2000.org • Web site: http://www.Institute2000.org