This power can move us to do seemingly insane things, such as being counter cultural with our living and eating habits. Who would go so far as to spend hours on the phone, going back and forth with caterers trying to get organic, local foods that are in line with our beliefs, as Rose Gurkin of the Council staff did for the delicious lunch that was served? Who would be crazy enough to tell her patients that “…soon we won’t have an earth to support healthy choices if we don’t start saving our planet now” as Dr. Kathy Shea did once long ago and succeeded in changing a patient’s health within one year? Who would be crazy enough to lead congregations to health through a biblical message as Willona Stallings is doing with Partners in Health and Wholeness? And who would be crazy enough to lead a group of dedicated staff to work toward a just, loving, equitable society as George Reed is doing as the Executive Director of the NC Council of Churches? Bishop Curry’s message was that we need crazy Christians.

For some, Bishop’s Curry’s message is a start. For others, it’s an encouraging word. And still for others, it’s an awakening that they have companions on the same path. Partners in Health and Wholeness is tracking those who allow Jesus’ love to drive them to crazy acts of counter cultural decisions. Take a look out our PHW-certified churches to get an idea of Christians who are being counter cultural with their health outlook.

I challenge you not only to take a crazy approach with eating, but also loving as Jesus loved. Reading your Bible, praying, meditating, communing with God, there is nothing sweeter than that comfort, and nothing more life changing than those encounters with God.

Be blessed my dear sisters, brothers, mothers, and fathers in Christ, and become biblically crazy!

–Joy Williams, PHW Regional Consultant

Many of the industry-produced ads and promotional activities target the psychological needs of adolescents, such as popularity, peer acceptance and positive self-image. Tobacco marketing campaigns create the perception that smoking will satisfy these needs or that smoking is the social norm, while price promotions continue to attract a young market. While the tobacco industry is gaining new young smokers, the reality is that one-third of them will eventually die from tobacco-related diseases. In the U.S., 1,200 Americans die each day from tobacco-related diseases.

Surgeon General Regina Benjamin issued the 31st tobacco-related report in which facts about tobacco use and ways proven to prevent it are fully described. You can find the full report here.

Churches can help prevent tobacco use. Partners in Health and Wholeness offers free resources and can help identify health organizations that are workingagainst tobacco use in your area. By declaring the inside of your church buildings tobacco-free, you can begin the process of becoming a PHW-certified congregation, earning state-wide acknowledgement among other benefits. You can find out more information here.

–Joy Williams, PHW Regional Consultant

The North Carolina Council of Churches, a statewide nonprofit promoting Christian unity and social justice, is working to alleviate the problem through its faith-based health initiative, Partners in Health and Wholeness (PHW). PHW promotes health as a practice of our faith and works to improve the health of clergy and congregants.

The Council regards health disparities as a moral issue. Our scriptures teach that Jesus Christ died so that we might have life and that more abundantly– regardless of income, education, skin color or place of residence. Unfortunately, disparities in health are often defined by such social and economic factors. PHW works with congregations, including those in underserved parts of the state, to connect issues of faith and health and to help them implement healthy activities, programs and policies. In the end, we expect to see healthier clergy, healthier congregants, and healthier communities.

Partners in Health and Wholeness is proud to promote the 33^rd Annual Minority Health Conference, presented by the Minority Student Caucus at UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health. PHW believes in closing the health disparities gap, which is a central goal for this annual conference.

The conference features the 14th Annual William T. Small, Jr. Keynote Lecture by Ana V. Diez-Roux, MD, PhD, MPH, professor and director of the Center for Social Epidemiology and Population Health, University of Michigan. Dr. Diez-Roux's lecture will be broadcast as a free, interactive webcast.

You can view and ask questions during the interactive broadcast at 2:00-3:30pm EST on Friday, February 24, 2012.

Also, partner conferences are being organized at six other universities (to date) (more information)

The conference will be held at the UNC William and Ida Friday Center for Continuing Education, Chapel Hill, NC and (Keynote only) on the web.

This year, the conference theme is "Translational Research: The Road from Efficacy to Equity".

You can find more information about the conference here. Or view the video announcement here.  

Dr. Diez-Roux keynote address, “Neighborhoods and health disparities: old evidence and new directions”, will kick off an exciting day, with sessions and speakers including presentations by Nina Wallerstein, Professor and Director of the Center for Participatory Research, Betina Jean-Louis from the Harlem Children's Zone, and Jane Perkins, Legal Director of the National Health Law Program.

You can register online for the conference (registration fee applies) or for the webcast (no fee). 

Partners in Health and Wholeness is an initiative of the NC Council of Churches. Please visit our website to view more resources on health and faith http://healthandwholeness.org/.

Please download the following resources today and then make a commitment to improve your health by putting what you learn into practice (James 1:22):  Eating Faithfully, Faithfully Tobacco Free, and Faithfully Fit & Active.

Well, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and First Lady, Michelle Obama, recently announced their success at raising the nutritional standards of school lunches for the first time in 15 years, but they were also forced by the food industry to make some concessions.  For example, they were unable to limit french fries on the cafeteria line, and pizza can still be counted as a vegetable.

By and large, the public health community is pleased with the outcome of this battle over healthier school lunches but will undoubtedly continue fighting to make the foods served to our nation’s children healthier still.

To read the full article, please click here.

I am very excited to share with you an online storytelling initiative that has just launched, called Inspired. A program of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) Foundation, Inspired is telling the story of select individuals and organizations from across the state that are making a positive impact in their communities.  And our very own Partners in Health and Wholeness Initiative is among them!

Perhaps even more exciting is the opportunity for us to benefit beyond just participation, and we'll need your help.

Please take a minute to visit www.inspirednc.org and click on the image associated with our work. (You will find my picture at the bottom of the page in the center.)  Watch our story and then share it via Facebook, Twitter or Email using the icons on the site. Each time you share our story or any other, BCBSNC Foundation will invest $1 into the work of the featured organizations, including ours.

So, I encourage you to help spread the word, to learn about and tell others of the great work that is happening all across North Carolina.

Remember, you are able to be awarded for your healthy actions and become a model to other churches by being PHW Certified. 

Make sure to get everyone to sign the Endorsement Resolution as a first step to committing to a healthy lifestyle for your community!

View Health Calendar Here.

Richmond County has answered the call to Being Healthy,  Being Faithful 2012. Mary Swann and Yvonne McGraw of the Pee Dee Baptist Association have both been instrumental in rallying Baptist churches together to learn more about health as a faith issue. The first 2012 event is scheduled for January 29^th from 3-5  p.m. at the Pee Dee Baptist Association, 119 Channie McManus Dr. in Hamlet. The Sunday Health Series that they are following can be found on the Being Healthy, Being Faithful Health Calendar here.

Sermons will be every 5^th Sunday of 2012 at the Pee Dee Baptist Association. Please contact Joy Williams with any questions at 919-357-8625 or jtwilliams@ncouncilofchurches.org.  Please contact Yvonne McGraw  at 910-334-0187 for more information about participating in upcoming health events for the Pee Dee Baptist Association.

Partners in Health and Wholeness wants to reward your congregation’s healthy actions.  By being PHW Certified, you will also be a model for other churches; find out more here.

Remember, signing the PHW online Endorsement Resolution is a first step to committing to a healthy lifestyle for your community!

Corpses donated for medical research are primarily used by first-year anatomy students, who some argue need to learn what a normal body looks like before studying obesity and other pathologies.  Not to mention the fact that larger bodies are simply more difficult to dissect, study and transport.

What do you think?  With more Americans falling into overweight and obese categories, what does this mean for the future of medical research and practice in our country?  

To read the full article, please click here.

Thanks to Mary McKeithan for being a key instrumental player in uniting churches in Bladen County on Monday November 28, 2011 at Elizabethtown Presbyterian Church on 800 Broad St. Ms. McKeithan and Joy Williams of Partners in Health and Wholeness collaborated with Bladen churches to set a health focus 2012 calendar for willing congregant members.  Each month features a health topic with supporting health materials and ideas.  There are even guest speakers who are available to help facilitate meetings.

Ms. Mary Swann and Yvonne McGraw are working on a similar calendar for Richmond County and the Pee Dee Baptist Association.

If you are a church and you want a health organization to come to your area or if you are a health organization and you want to be connected with a church, please contact Joy Williams at 919-357- 8625 or jtwilliams@nccouncilofchurches.org.  We look forward to working toward a healthier lifestyle with you in 2012.

View Health Calendar Here.

NC Interfaith Power & Light (NC IPL), a program of the NC Council of Churches, is very pleased to be partnering with United Church of Chapel Hill to co-sponsor the first ever Transition Congregations Training and Workshop. The Rev. Jim Deming, national United Church of Christ Minister for Environmental Justice, and Tina Clark, a senior Transition Towns Trainer, have developed a workshop specifically for people of faith using the concepts and techniques pioneered by Transition Towns. This unique offering will be piloted in a day long program on Saturday January 21, 2012 and is open to all communities of faith, lay and clergy. It will explore what preparing for peak oil and climate change means at the congregational level and how faith communities can be leaders and innovators as the world changes in the coming years and decades.

Registration is now open but space is limited. Please go to the NC IPL website events section for registration information. We are hoping for a truly interfaith group to experience this first training, build community throughout the state and give Jim and Tina feedback as well. We are very lucky that this is happening in NC and hope that there will be lots of interest and eager participation.

If you have questions, please contact Kathy@ncipl.org.  We look forward to an exciting day.

Our friends at the NC Division of Public Health would like to help current tobacco users quit by offering NC residents, 18 years of age or older, free nicotine replacement therapy (i.e., patches, gum or lozenges) while supplies last.

In addition to being a NC resident and at least 18 years of age, you must also commit to a quit date in order to qualify and get prior approval from your physician if you have experienced the following:

• Heart attack within the last 2 weeks.
• Stroke or TIA (temporary stroke) within the last 2 weeks.
• Currently pregnant
• Diagnosed within last 6 months with very rapid or irregular heartbeat that required a change in activities or medication.
• Diagnosed within last 6 months with serious or worsening angina.
• Previous adverse reaction to using a patch medication or adhesive tape.

If you are ready to end your dependence on tobacco in 2012, please call QuitlineNC at 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) between the hours of 6 a.m. to 3 a.m. daily.  The service is available in both English and Spanish.

Over the next three years, Partners in Health and Wholeness will team up with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina, the American Red Cross Health and Safety Services of North Carolina, and Representative Becky Carney to provide free AEDs and CPR trainings to congregations in NC.  The name of this three-year project is Strive to Revive; 50 AEDs will be available in the first year.

With large numbers of individuals attending places of worship throughout NC on a weekly basis, we have the potential to make a real difference and to save lives.  In fact, survival rates can be as high as 74% if an AED is administered within 3 minutes of sudden cardiac arrest.

PHW will make an official request for applications from congregations that wish to participate in the coming weeks/months.  Please stay tuned and begin sharing information about Strive to Revive with others in your church and/or judicatory.  Together, we can beat back the fatal effects of heart disease, which is the leading cause of death in the US – disproportionately affecting women, African Americans, Latinos and seniors.

For more information, please email me at willona@nccouncilofchurches.org.

The report, titled “A Broken Promise to Our Children: The 1998 State Tobacco Settlement 13 Years Later”, highlights the fact that NC spends just a fraction of our tobacco revenue on tobacco prevention programs – an abysmal 4 percent of $431 million.  Of course this pales in comparison to the millions of dollars paid by tobacco companies to market their products in our state.

Tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable death in the US.  Let’s protect our children’s future by protecting them from the deadly effects of tobacco.

Case workers grew concerned when their attempts to work with the mother to reduce the child’s weight proved unsuccessful after more than a year, resulting in allegations of medical neglect.  Workers blamed the child’s excessive weight on his environment and his mother’s unwillingness to follow doctor’s orders.  However, the boy’s mother and her lawyers dispute these claims, stating that the child’s welfare isn’t in immediate danger due to his weight, and that the mother tried to follow doctor’s orders but wonders if others in the home were giving him extra food or if genetics are partly to blame.

What do you think?  Should a child be placed in foster care due to a weight issue that may or may not result in health problems down the road?  Does protecting the physical health of a child outweigh the potential adverse psychological effects of removing him/her from the home?  Who else is to blame for growing rates of childhood overweight and obesity in the US?  What role can lawmakers, food manufacturers and advertisers play?

To read the full article, please click here.

But there are some foods that you might be OK with buying non-organic. This link will take you there; however, they are focused only on pesticides and not GMO foods.

GMO foods are genetically modified organisms. These foods are cross-bred between the original gene pool of the plant and another organism to help make a resistant plant. These foods have not been tested over a long period and the implications of their health effects are uncertain and a bit scary to some people. You can read more about GMO foods here.

GMO foods to buy organic: Corn

Listed below are other GMO foods to buy organic.  Copied from Avoid Genetically Modified Foods:

• Soybeans - Gene taken from bacteria (Agrobacterium sp. strain CP4) and inserted into soybeans to make them more resistant to herbicides.^[1] See How to Live With a Soy Allergy for more information on avoiding soy products
• Corn - There are two main varieties of GE corn. One has a Gene from the lepidoptera pathogen microorganism Bacillus thuringiensis inserted to produce the Bt toxin, which poisons insect pests.^[2] There are also several events which are resistant to various herbicide. Present in high fructose corn syrup and glucose/fructose which is prevalent in a wide variety of foods in America.
• Rapeseed/Canola - Gene added/transferred to make crop more resistant to herbicide.
• Sugar beets - Gene added/transferred to make crop more resistant to Monsanto's Roundup herbicide.
• Rice - Genetically modified to resist herbicides; not currently available for human consumption, but trace amounts of one GM long-grained variety (LLRICE601) may have entered the food supply in the USA and Europe.^[3]More recently, golden rice, a different strain of rice has been engineered to produce significantly higher levels of beta carotene, which the body uses to produce vitamin A. Golden rice is still undergoing testing to determine if it is safe for human consumption.^[4]
• Cotton - engineered to produce Bt toxin. The seeds are pressed into cottonseed oil, which is a common ingredient in vegetable oil and margarine.
• Dairy - Cows injected with GE hormone rBGH/rBST; possibly fed GM grains and hay.
• Aspartame/AminoSweet - Addictive and dangerous artificial sweetener commonly found in chewing gum and "diet" beverages. A building block of aspartame, the amino acid phenylalanine, is usually manufactured with the aid of genetically modified E. coli bacteria. This process has been used industrially in the USA for many years.
• Papayas
• Farm Raised Salmon

Now that you are getting on board with adding fresh fruits and vegetables to your congregation's meals, let us and other churches know what you are doing be becoming PHW certified.

Want to know more about how to eat sustainably, check out NC IPL's program Cool Harvest – making the food-faith-climate change connection – looking at ways congregations can eat sustainably, healthily and deliciously as they reduce their greenhouse gas emissions!

To illustrate, the bill recognizes tomato paste as a vegetable, calls for more research on long-term sodium reduction and requires that the Administration first define “whole grains” before regulating them.  Again, who knew that promoting healthier school lunches could create such gridlock on Capitol Hill?

The issue of what to feed our nation’s children should not be trivialized, however, as they are predicted to live shorter lives than their parents for the first time in history due to rising childhood obesity rates.  Thankfully, some school districts across the country are taking matters into their own hands and are placing our children, not politics, first.  In Asheville, for example, they have replaced regular french fries with baked sweet potato fries, white rice with brown rice, and whole milk with 1 percent or fat free.   Asheville City Schools also provide more fruit and vegetable servings, whole wheat bread, and foods that are either baked or steamed.     

To learn more, please click here to read the full article in the Asheville Citizen-Times.

Other states and countries have witnessed the same effect….  When we reduce individuals’ exposure to tobacco smoke – which contains chemicals that increase our blood pressure, heart rate and narrow our blood vessels – people suffer fewer heart attacks.  As a result, we save lives and dollars.  According to Dr. Jeffrey Engel, NC State Health Director, we saved an estimated $3.3 to $4.8 million in health care costs in 2010 due to the decline in heart attacks.

To read the full report, please click here.

The old adage, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”, has never rung truer for business leaders, health care providers and economists alike.  According to Be Active North Carolina, costs associated with overweight and obesity in our state climbed into the billions in 2006 alone - $2.81 billion in medical costs, $0.96 billion in prescription drug costs and $11.80 billion in lost productivity.  Nationwide, these costs totaled approximately $147 billion in 2009. 

A business leader who participated in the Trust’s recent analysis of the physical and economic health of communities put it best when he said, “it’s much cheaper to keep people healthy than it is to take care of them when they’re sick….”  As North Carolina and other states search for solutions to today’s poor economic climate, may we not overlook the importance of investing in prevention and healthy lifestyles. 

To view the report in its entirety, please click here.

This great idea came from the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI).  CSPI has served the public by advocating for food labeling, better nutrition, and safer food since 1971 to help support the public’s health. The day also aligns with the Council’s work on food as a social justice issue.

In North Carolina, Food Day was celebrated in the NC Legislative Office where distinguished guests from UNC Gillings School of Public Health, Dr. Barry Popkin and Dr. Alice Ammerman, ushered almost 200 attendees to review a history of food and the great things happening now to change the latter part of our dreary food history.

Food Day in NC collected 1068 pounds of fresh produce which was donated to the Inter-Faith Food Shuttle.  NC Food Day had support from Governor Beverly Purdue and Midday Remarks from Dr. Jeffrey Engel.

Follow future NC Food Day events on Facebook here, and take a look at the national page here.

This is extremely good news for our state, as infant mortality is considered a strong marker for overall population health and well-being.  State leaders attribute the decline in NC’s infant mortality rate to smart investments in public health programs and education, as well as accessible, quality health care.  Specifically, NC encourages women of childbearing age to lead healthy, active lifestyles; provides education and support to minority families who are at increased risk of losing an infant within the first year of life; and promotes infant safe sleep practices (e.g., back sleep positioning) to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). 

North Carolina has made great strides in improving maternal and child health, but there is more work to be done.  As an example, the current infant mortality rate among African Americans is two times higher than that of non-Hispanic Whites.  So, let’s take a moment to celebrate our success and continue working together to protect our future, our children.

To see a full copy of the report, please click here.

How important is sleep? I was recently asked this question at one of our trainings. Dr. Epstein, from Harvard Medical School says that sleep is one of the basic building blocks of health, just like healthy eating and exercise. He also says that we need to rethink how we prioritize sleep. How powerful! Below are more facts researched by him and his colleagues:

• After learning a new skill adequate sleep helps to improve memory and performance of that skill.
• Makes you feel better
• Muscle growth, tissue repair, protein synthesis, and growth hormone release occur mostly, or in some cases only, during sleep
• Chronic sleep deprivation can contribute to a number of illnesses including cardio vascular diseases such as hypertension and stroke, but also diabetes among other links to other illnesses
• Studies show that people who don’t get an adequate amount of sleep don’t live as long as people who do
• Animals deprived entirely of sleep lose their immune function and die within a few weeks

You can read more on this list as well as view other benefits of sleep and consequences of inadequate sleep in a short (6:13) video from the Division of Sleep Medicine at Harvard Medical School here or visit the website here.

Harvard School of Public Health has put out a new plate—different from the USDA’s revamp of the Food Guide Pyramid. Harvard School of Public Health talks about their difference.

First, they say that the USDA’s MyPlate does not talk about nutrient dense choices within their food guide. For example, the USDA says that a quarter of your plate should be grains. Harvard does not dispute that all, but rather, Harvard wants to clarify that grains should be whole grain and not refined. Over time, eating refined grains can make it difficult to control weight and can raise the risk of heart disease and diabetes. According to Harvard, this matters for someone’s health, and are disappointed that this was not included within the guide mainly for political reasons.

The Department of Nutrition at the Harvard School of Public Health and the Harvard Medical School are redefining what we should eat with more specificity! Harvard University is sharing with the public that political and commercial pressure from food industry lobbyists are the main influences of the USDA’s endorsement of MyPlate.

Harvard takes on the USDA’s recommendations section by section. View it here.

You can view Harvard’s Healthy Eating Plate here.

September was Prostate Cancer awareness month (1).  The National Cancer Institute calculated 32, 050 men dying of prostate cancer in 2010 (2). Prostate cancer is more commonly found in black men (2). According to family history, age (>50 and average age is 67), ethnicity (higher risk to African American males) and other factors (e.g. work site radiation exposure) you may have a higher risk to developing this cancer (3,4).   Of course, prostate cancer is a cancer specific to males (prostate gland).  

Prostate cancer in men over the age of 69 becomes more common than any other cancer in men and women (4)!  Our poor western diet consisting of highly processed foods is responsible for the high incidence of prostate cancer in men (5). 

Several health clinics sponsor free screenings for prostate cancer, and there is probably a local free screening near you.  But hold on, there is information you should know. First, know that prostate cancer can grow really slow (6). Secondly, the initial PSA (prostate-specific antigen) screening which detects a prostate specific protein in your blood is the most common type of prostate screening (6).  However, PSA screening is flawed in that elevated levels of PSA can be present due to other issues with the prostate (7).  As well, PSA levels can be low because of higher blood volumes in obese men, hiding prostate cancer.  Thirdly, please know that there is no agreed upon because many men are likely to die of old age or something else than they would of prostate cancer (6, 8).  To save your life and needless invasive treatments that can leave you impotent, incontinent, or with a subsequent cancer (10) or even death, please read about prostate cancer, candidly talk it over with a doctor, and ask questions regarding what you are comfortable risking as a side effect. 

According to Dr. Nortin Hadler a Professor of Medicine at UNC, you should discuss the question of ‘what if I have prostate cancer’ with your doctor BEFORE getting a PSA screening and subsequent biopsy test.  In his book, Rethinking Aging, he says, ‘By age sixty, every man should assume he has prostate cancer.”  He also says that after age 75 there is enough scientific evidence to say that screening should halt. He also says he will not let anyone give him a PSA test!  Listen to his interview, ‘Rethinking Aging’, on NPR here.  Just recently the U.S. Preventive Service Task Force panel says that healthy men should not get a PSA test at all (6)!

Those of the medical community who are against PSA screening say the screenings are what are informing people that they have prostate cancer instead of a symptom-driven diagnosis (9).  The screenings make men aware of prostate cancer because they followed someone’s recommendation in getting a PSA screening (Ibid). Rather than men experiencing symptoms that drives them to a doctor, and then the doctor figures out from their symptoms that they may have prostate cancer, and subsequently, gives a test to make a prostate cancer diagnosis (Ibid).  Even the current outlined symptoms of prostate cancer are not clear enough to suggest prostate cancer.  Dr. Hadler adds that once a male is screened for prostate cancer and they are found to have it, their mentality about themselves changes (9). They now see themselves as someone who will die at any minute now, and they must get it out (9, 11). 

You may be shocked to hear that PSA screenings may not necessarily save lives (6).  In fact, a recent article in the NY Times announced the U.S. Preventive Service Task Force assertions.  Read the article here.   You also may be shocked that PSA testing and subsequent treatment can cause harm, such as with radiation therapy, which can cause another type of cancer, multiple myeloma, read more here  (10).

 So why are PSA screenings used?  PSA screenings are used because it is one of the few options available to screen for prostate cancer (6). The other screening is doing a digital rectal exam (DRE) where the prostate is felt through the anal or performing an ultra sound (6).  Despite of the limitations of PSA screenings and the DRE there are several cases where doctors have been held accountable for ignoring PSA testing or the PSA results, and the bereaved family was severely affected—leaving large professional and financial consequences to doctors (8).  The science that Dr. Hadler walks his readers through in his book says, “… if you screen 1,400 men for nine years, the screenings would cause you to treat forty-eight additional men for cancer but avert death from prostate cancer in only one of them” (12).

There are some reputable health maintenance organizations (HMO) such as Kaiser Permanente who advise against prostate cancer screening, and other reputable health organizations that do not state a position at all, such as American Society of Clinical Oncology (8). Those who advocate for prostate cancer screenings, such as the American Cancer Society, say that knowing early will give someone more options that could possibly reduce harmful side effects (8). 

The treatment options range from active surveillance of the cancer to chemo or radiation therapy, with new therapies being developed (8).  Many medical doctors believe that the risks and side effects of treatments outweigh the benefits of the treatment for a stage of prostate cancer which might not cause any symptoms for several years (8).  In addition, the treatment can greatly reduce the quality of life of these patients, causing incontinence or impotence (8).  Prostate cancer is a cancer and can spread to other parts of the body.  It is a serious disease, but one that also can grow slowly—and be slowed down by a healthy lifestyle.

Some people say that urologists are the ones to financially lose in this debate and that is why they are opposing the new recommendation.

Prevention

Prostate Cancer foundation states that diet and exercise can reduce the risk of development and progression, and can help men with prostate cancer live longer more productive lives.

You hear Partners in Health and Wholeness preach all the time about eating your vegetables and exercising, well, please listen. These are just not cliché health responses.  You can even grow your own fruits and vegetables to reduce costs of getting quality foods that will greatly improve your health.  If you want to know what others are doing for healthy food consumption, join our success chain by emailing jtwilliams@nccouncilofchurches.org.

How do I talk to my doctor?

Dr. Hardin recommends you bring up the issue at your next doctor’s visit. Before you go in, write down a list of questions based on your prostate cancer research. Yes, google it.  Look at varying sites to see what people are saying or even go to your local library. I have included a few internet sites to start your research now. I recommend writing down your questions so that you are not side tracked with other information or become nervous while talking with a health provider. This also allows you to write down the answers (which are highly encouraged) for you to reference later.  Please do not expect your doctor to know everything about prostate cancer or to have the position that you must or must not get the test.  It is highly controversial.  Ask your doctor what influences her/his decision to recommend the test.  Go to your doctor or health care provider with researched questions, knowledge, and your preferences in how to treat the possibility of prostate cancer. Your doctor can then participate in the conversation with you, as you are now a more informed patient.

What if I don’t have a doctor?

This is very typical, more than 1million people in NC do not have health insurance and therefore may not have a doctor.  Check with your local health department to see if there are any services for you.  If your local health department or county do not offer free or reduced health services for you, please know that I deeply sympathize with you and am one of the forces that are working to change this—but, you still have power in your hands.  You may find yourself attending a free screening, in which case, someone will get back with you with the results.  This is the time to ask who you direct your questions to. Even if you are unable to have the conversation with a doctor or health care provider before your screening, it is never too late.  Researching prostate cancer, writing questions down, and adapting a healthy lifestyle that includes a good diet, exercise, and tobacco free is still applicable in your case.   

ABC’s

ü  Start adapting a healthy lifestyle—a good diet, exercise, and be tobacco free

ü  Get the facts about prostate cancer and all the treatment options

ü  Ask yourself what you are willing to risk as a side effect

ü  Form your written questions to a health provider

ü  Meet with your health provider and record their answers

Have a comment? Tell us what you think below!

References

(1)   National Wellness Institute’s 2011 Health & Wellness Observances Calendar http://www.nationalwellness.org/pdf/2011HOC.pdf

(2)   National Cancer Institute. http://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/prost.html

(3)   The Center for Disease Control: http://www.cdc.gov/Features/ProstateCancer/  

(4)   Prostate Cancer Foundation: http://www.pcf.org/site/c.leJRIROrEpH/b.5802027/k.D271/Prostate_Cancer_Risk_Factors.htm

(5)   Green Facts: http://www.greenfacts.org/en/diet-nutrition/index.htm

(6)   New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/07/health/07prostate.html?_r=1&src=un&feedurl=http%3A%2F%2Fjson8.nytimes.com%2Fpages%2Fhealth%2Fpolicy%2Findex.jsonp

(7)   CDC Prostate Cancer African American Guide: http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/prostate/pdf/aaprosguide.pdf

(8)   The Prostate Cancer Awareness Week (pcaw.org) has compiled the following information on the prostate testing controversy: http://www.pcaw.org/issues/prostatecontroversy.html

(9)   NPR Rethinking Aging: http://wunc.org/tsot/archive/Rethinking_Aging.mp3/view

(10)  American Cancer Society: http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/CancerCauses/OtherCarcinogens/MedicalTreatments/radiation-exposure-and-cancer

(11)  NPR Prostate Screenings Not Recommended: http://www.npr.org/2011/10/12/141276792/prostate-cancer-screenings-not-recommended

(12)  Hadler, Nortin. “Rethinking Aging: Growing Old and Living Well in an Overtreated Society”. Chapter Stayin’ Alive. M.D. 2011 UNC Press

Photo Credits

This might strike you as surprising, as it did me, but radiation has been in cigarettes for more than forty years! We all have heard just how bad cigarettes are, but to know that they contain alpha particles on top of the other harmful substances is alarming, to say the least. And it is appalling to know that tobacco companies knew this and covered up the truth.

Researchers at UCLA published their findings in an article in the Sept. 27 Nicotine and Tobacco Journal which uncovered the hidden secret of polonium-210 which emits carcinogenic alpha radiation.  These researchers also discovered that Big Tobacco kept this quiet because to remove the polonium-210 would be risking the removal of the instant nicotine rush which keeps their consumers addicted.

Big Tobacco knew of the radiation, a cause of lung cancer, and hid this information from the public. The radiation emitted from cigarettes can linger within your home well after you have finished the cigarette—for decades and decades. All tobacco products on the market today still contain polonium-210. This radiation can account for 120 per 1,000 deaths of regular cigarette smokers over a 25 year period.

According to the UCLA Newsroom, Hrayr S.Karagueuzian, one of the researchers, thinks that the FDA should consider the removal of the alpha particles from all tobacco products, thanks to the June 2009 passage of the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act.

Read more from UCLA Newsroom or from ABC News.

Here are what busy people like you said about this event:

“I am very glad I went, and did enjoy myself, as well as learn something too.  Thank you for tackling this neck of the woods.”

“Most informative meeting. Be blessed.”

“Everything was great Joy.”

For some people, this is not an issue. A past roommate of mine turned trips to the local farmer’s market into a date. She and her beau would set a target spending amount, browse the stalls for ingredients, and then head home to have an at-home Iron Chef challenge with their purchases.

Unfortunately, not all of us have that level of creativity or flexibility. (Trust that I’m raising my hand.) Thankfully, the North Carolina Department of Agriculture has an at-a-glance chart of what locally grown fruits and vegetables are available throughout the year. While the chart cannot be exact, it is an excellent guideline for anyone who wants to use local produce but needs to plan meals or dishes in advance.

What is in store for September and October? Say goodbye to peaches, grapes, cucumbers, and green beans in the near future. Pumpkins and tomatoes will be available for a little while longer, while cabbage, apples, and leafy greens are going to be around for at least a few months. Don’t forget peanuts and sweet potatoes, which are available all year round.

If you are like me and need a little recipe inspiration, here are a few that caught my eye and would be excellent with locally-grown ingredients at your next church meal:

• Roasted beans and tomatoes or basil and tomato green beans

• Grilled sweet potatoes and apples – for a slightly healthier alternative, try using margarine instead of butter.

• Couscous, Sweet Potato, and Green Bean Salad

• Cucumber, Tomato, and Feta Salad – try asking your local farmer or vendor which tomato varieties would work well with these flavors

• Roasted cabbage wedges

• You can’t forget toasted pumpkin seeds to accompany pumpkin carving!

• Roasted apples or roasted apple butter  – these would be a great option for snack time with younger church members!  For a twist, try making it with pumpkins, too.

• Don’t forget a classic: apple sauce!

If you don’t find something here you like, try searching for your own! Allrecipes.com allows you to search by ingredients that you want or do not want to include, while CookThink.com lets you pick based on ingredients, cuisines, specific dishes, and even your food mood. Another excellent resource would be the farmers or local vendors themselves; asking them their thoughts is a great way to build a bond with those who provide our food.

During the webinar you will have a chance to be introduced to Partners in Health and Wholeness, understand the importance of viewing health as a faith issue, network with other churches, and join our partnership. We would love to have you there, please register at http://anymeeting.com/PIID=E959DB848049!

Another study, reported on by MSNBC, found that obesity currently costs some states up to $15 billion a year, not only in health care costs but in the loss of productivity as well. Obese adults tend to miss more days of work due to illness and are less productive overall than their healthier co-workers.

One word comes to my mind: “Ouch.” In a time of economic turmoil, our nation cannot support these costs.

On the other hand, The New York Times reported on a new national food service program, FoodCorps, which aims to address issues of healthy eating in schools. FoodCorps will build community gardens at schools, bring in healthier meal plans to cafeterias, educate students on healthy diets, and (I saved the best for last) cost only $2 million this first year.

$2 million spent in prevention sounds a lot better than billions of dollars spent in cures.

Awareness of an issue is key to fighting against it. Churches hold a unique place in educating the community because their congregants know that the church wants to help and protect them. It’s clear: when it comes to obesity, there is great harm to be had. Aware communities can speak and act for better lunches in local schools, better and more grocery stores in our neighborhoods, and legislation that helps us live healthier lives.

The Lancet study notes that if the entire population decreased their BMI by 1% (roughly 1 kg for an average-weight adult), the U.S. could avoid up to 2.4 million cases of diabetes, 1.7 million cardiovascular diseases, and 1.27 million cases of cancer.  Those are numbers for which I am willing to speak and act.

How can churches turn the tide against the deep-fried, sugar-coated, and salt-laden foods that are a common part of a Southern diet? In a recent New York Times article, Reverend Michael Minor of Oak Hill Baptist Church in Mississippi discusses the strides his and surrounding churches have made towards promoting healthier lifestyles for their congregants and the entire community.

The article mentions several actions the churches have taken, including:

• banning fried foods from church events;
• providing water instead of sweet tea and other sugary beverages at meals;
• offering fresh fruit instead of artificially sweetened snacks;
• hosting a Taste Test Sunday to showcase delicious, healthy food;
• planting a community garden; and
• building a walking path around the church and holding organized walks.

These churches show how change can, and often does, come from within. We play a powerful role in promoting these important changes to our communities by putting a focus on what we eat, how active we are, and the significance of a healthy lifestyle.

“There are more than 1.1 million low-income, uninsured people in our state and more than three-quarters of them are in working families, according to the North Carolina Institute of Medicine. National numbers show that almost half of the uninsured have at least one chronic illness –that’s where NC MedAssist comes in.

We are able to provide free prescription medicines to those in need by partnering with free clinics, health departments and hospitals across the state.  And we can serve clients directly by providing mail order service to their homes.  Our goal is to supply essential medicines to every one of our neighbors in need and to improve the health of North Carolina one prescription at a time.

Our average client takes medicines with a retail cost of almost $600 a month – that represents at least one-third of an individual client’s income. In order to qualify for our program, clients must be uninsured and earn less than 200% of the Federal Poverty Level – that’s $21,780 a year for an individual and $44,700 for a family of four.

Since expanding statewide in 2009, NC MedAssist has filled more than 106,000 prescriptions valued at more than $9.1 million for more than 30,000 North Carolinians. 

People like Mike T. of Rowan County.  ‘I sat down and cried when I found out I could get my medicines from MedAssist.  It was such a weight off my shoulders that I wasn’t going to have to choose any more between heat or food or medicine.  Now I can sleep at night.  I feel so much better, physically and mentally.  I tell everyone I meet about MedAssist.  If you know someone who needs medicine, please tell them about MedAssist.  If you’re in a position to give, please help support it.’

We know there are many North Carolinians out there who need our help but who don’t know that we’re here for them.  If you’d like to have a member of MedAssist’s staff come speak to your congregation, or if you’d like MedAssist to hold an enrollment event in your community, please contact Gena Renfrow at gena@reach-comm.com or 919-815-5550.”

Feinstein, lead investigator in a recent religion and obesity study writes: “Churches already have infrastructures in place, groups of people gathering regularly and providing social support. That’s hugely beneficial in implementing health intervention or implementing programs geared toward diet and physical activity." 

In building support systems, churches have the advantage of an established location and groups of people who regularly interact. These are the key essentials of making any change successful.  Too often people tackle large tasks alone. That could be a major reason why we struggle so much with lifestyle changes. Churches have an opportunity to fellowship in a way that supports lifestyle changes such as offering exercise classes and fruits and vegetables during events. So the next time you congregate at your church for an activity, I challenge you to look at others not only as other believers but as a huge support system in your healthy lifestyle endeavors!

1)    Begin with prayer. Ask God to help change hearts to establish the discipline needed to build support systems around healthy habits.

Always feel free to leave a comment and let us know works for you. We all want to have success, so please share it!

Thank you to the following churches and organizations for making our first youth empowerment training for clergy and other adults a success: Scotland County Health Department, Regional Organic Operation to Serve (ROOTS), YES’ Healthy Vessels Program, Fletcher Grove Missionary Baptist Church, Nazareth Missionary Baptist Church, Scotland High School and Jason’s Deli of Durham.

For more information about how your church/organization can get involved, please email jtwilliams@nccouncilofchurches.org or call 919-357-8625.

Some ideas include: holding a potato sack race; making and flying kites; having a water balloon toss; or playing Duck, Duck, Goose.  The activities you choose are less important than simply having fun and sending the important message that North Carolina’s faith community cares about the health of our children!

For more information or to register, please visit www.beactivekids.com. 

Before I share with you an awe-inspiring message from a member of First United Methodist Church in Hickory regarding their flourishing community garden, I would first like to make you aware of a grant opportunity which is being offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, in partnership with Let’s Move Faith and Communities.  These two entities are joining forces to help families access more fruits and vegetables by awarding grants of up to $150,000 to individuals and organizations that agree to “facilitate the creation of produce, recreation and/or wildlife gardens in urban and rural areas”.

The deadline for applications is Friday, August 26.  To find out more, please contact the Program Director, Dr. Tom Bewick, at tbewick@nifa.usda.gov or by telephone at (202) 401-3356.

Now for that awe-inspiring story provided by a member of First United Methodist Church in Hickory:

The Parable Garden at First United Methodist Church, Hickory, NC

“The Parable Garden is an extension of a vision to help feed those persons in Hickory who are unable to feed themselves.  Inspired and led by Buddy Weathers, who is assisted and advised by a number of volunteers, the Parable Garden is making a difference in the lives of many persons who call Hickory their home.  It produced enough food in its first year of existence last year to feed hundreds of persons.  Weekly the food from the garden is transported to the Hickory Soup Kitchen, the Salvation Army and/or to shut-ins.  Learning from last year’s mistakes, the output already has tripled this year.  Several new features have been incorporated into the garden.  First, a substantial trellis (fence) is being used for climbing vegetables, such as tomatoes.  Second, wide rows are being used for planting.  This automatically increases the yield, as a higher percentage of the tilled area is used for growing crops and lesser amount is being used for walking paths.  The wide rows are widely accepted but used less often by gardeners.  Third, the soil is being augmented with both rabbit manure and leaf mulch.  The use of natural, rather than commercial, fertilizers has greatly benefited the soil.  Fourth, soaker hoses are being utilized to augment rain water. Fifth, the crops that are being planted this year will yield produce that can be used in a variety of ways by the cooks at their destinations. Corn, for example, can be eaten off the ears, served as a creamed corn vegetable, made into casseroles, or into soup.  Sixth, plants that take up a lot of space, such as melons, and have a limited yield are not being planted. Seventh, we are using succession planting (several plantings of the same vegetable are spaced over an extended period) to increase the length of harvesting season. Eighth, by careful timing of the planting of the first crops, they were harvested and a second crop (follow-up crop) is growing.   Ninth, a number of “things” have been used this year to make the Parable Garden more functional and visually beautiful (signage, blueberry bushes, flowers to attract pollinating bees, flowering shrubs/bushes) to gardeners and non-gardeners alike.

A second function of the parable Garden has been to educate a large number of youngsters on where our produce comes from.  A surprisingly large number of them don’t think past the grocery stores.  They don’t know how the produce got there. It’s just there. It appears by magic.

A third function has been to expose them to the different types of soil and growing conditions they might encounter later in life — what types support growth and what types hinder or stunt growth.

A fourth function, I believe is touched on under # eight (above) – making the garden visually attractive and appealing to as many people as possible.

A fifth function is to spread the word to other individuals, churches and civic organizations.  Our garden is the premier garden raising food for individuals served by the Hickory Soup kitchen, Salvation Army, etc. in the area.  Others come by on a regular basis to learn from us.  We are glad to share the information with anyone at any time.”

- Mr. Dan Miller, First United Methodist Church, Hickory

For more community gardening tips, please email Mr. Miller at: gdbrmiller@charter.net. 

In scripture we are taught that God made Adam and Eve in order to till the ground. Fundamentally, human beings need activity, preferably with the goal of maintaining creation and not destroying it. Perhaps where we would least expect a faithful rendering of this truth holds it the most. Christian monks have venerated activity for centuries. St. Benedict understood this and made manual labor an important part of his monastery’s life. Benedictine monks recited psalms as they worked to preserve their monastery, and still do to this day. Some of the most secluded communities show us how activity not only brings a healthy body but a healthy mind.

The act of gaining weight is very simple, more calories have to be consumed than burned off with bodily activity. However the root cause can be debated, and for some, additional problems such as diabetes or imbalanced thyroid activity can contribute to weight gain. Depression and PTSD can also play a part in how much one consumes and how the body reacts to that food. Not everyone can suddenly begin manual labor and it be beneficial, but our orientation to it can be revamped. To labor in the dirt is our calling as creatures, and in doing so we would be using our bodies responsibly.

Food gives life, but as we are continually seeing over and over again, it can be dangerous when over-consumed. Despite all the effort in diets and miracle drugs, we are still gaining pounds. Maybe we need to look back to see where we came from and how playing in the dirt wasn’t so bad compared to our increasing risk of early death and disease due to overweight and obesity.

PPK is considered NFL’s largest grassroots program in the country, now celebrating its 50^th year.  If your congregation would like to host a local competition in 2011, please visit: http://www.nflppk.com/competitions/local/create.  Once you register, you will receive a PPK administrative kit which includes:

• Ribbons for first, second and third place winners
• Footballs (one of each size needed)
• Kicking tees
• Promotional posters

For more information about NFL PPK, please visit their website at http://www.nflppk.com/ or contact North Carolina’s PPK State Chair, Michelle Wells, at michelle@ncrpa.net.  To read about another NFL initiative which challenges youth to be physically active for at least 60 minutes per day, please visit: http://www.nfl.com/play60. 

Together, we can make a difference… and have fun while doing it!

-Willona Stallings, PHW Program Coordinator

To learn more about Joy and her passion for health and faith, please read her personal message to you below, and visit the Council's website to read her bio.  You can also contact her directly at jtwilliams@nccouncilofchurches.org with any questions or well wishes.

A Message from Joy Williams, PHW Regional Consultant:

Greetings NCCC friends!  I bring many experiences to my new role as PHW Regional Consultant.  They include a Master's of Public Health degree from UNC-Chapel Hill, a Fulbright Scholarship, and a passion for health and faith.

Many different cultures have molded my world perspective, including Native American and Latin American.  Through my experiences, I believe that the majority of people want the best for themselves and their families.  What a pleasure to embark on an endeavor that offers tools and resources to apply that principle.  As the PHW Regional Consultant, I am fulfilling my personal mission of understanding health as a faith issue.

I look forward to getting to know all of you!  Please take some time to get to know me and more about PHW.

With Eager Hopes,

Joy Williams

ChooseMyPlate.gov - Uses the plate as a visual aid to help illustrate both the types and correct portions of food you should consume on a daily basis in order to maintain a healthy weight.

Eat Smart, Move More North Carolina - Offers a variety of programs and tools to help people of faith eat healthier and be more physically active.

Heart 360 - Allows you to track and manage your heart health and share your results with your physician.

My Life Check - Offers you a heart health assessment and individualized plan.

NC County Health Tool - Provides obesity and smoking rates by county as well as community strategies for addressing these problems.  In addition, the NC County Health Tool illustrates the positive effects of reducing obesity and smoking rates on county health rankings, hospital visits and personal income.

NC Good Health Directory - Provides a list of affordable, evidence-based wellness resources by county.

Shape Your World - Offers strategies for transforming your local community into a healthier, safer place to live.  Visit this website to: 1) take advantage of the Shape Your World Visualization Tool which allows you to “build” your own environment and share your pictures with others, 2) complete an online checklist to assess how easy it is to get around your neighborhood on foot, 3) find resources on local greenways and parks, and 4) get tips on how to take action and make your dream of creating a healthier community a reality.

For additional health tips and tools, please click here.

• Find practical ways to deal with pain, fatigue and stress
• Discover better nutrition and exercise choices
• Understand easy ways to relax
• Learn better ways to talk with your doctor and family
• Get the support you need

Better Choices, Better Health™ is a proven, life-changing program.  If you would like to take advantage of this special limited time offer or to simply learn more about it, please visit https://selfmanage.org. 

When?  Tuesday, May 24
What Time?  12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. EDT

Space is limited.  Please register by Friday, May 13^th.  Reserve your Webinar seat now at: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/512825225.

The session will be led by Dr. Toni (Antronette) Yancey of UCLA School of Public Health and Dr. Melicia Whitt-Glover of Gramercy Research Group.  They each have a wealth of experience in public health and promoting physical activity in the community.  Comments will also be offered by Pastor Konnie Robinson of Union Chapel Baptist Church in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Registration is FREE, but mandatory.  After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Please direct any questions to Danielle Crookes at Danielle.Crookes@fccc.edu or Dottie Chezik or Shirley Apeldorn at 215-728-3118.

The North Carolina Council of Churches would like to see more local governments supporting fresh, locally grown foods across the state.  Through the Council’s Come to the Table Program, we are equipping congregations with the resources and tools to help relieve hunger and sustain local farms.  Through our Partners in Health and Wholeness Initiative, we are promoting health as a practice of our faith and recognizing congregations that take steps towards better health through increased physical activity, healthy eating and not using tobacco products.

Data show that eating healthily reduces high blood pressure; reduces our risk of diabetes, some cancers, heart disease and stroke; and helps with weight management.  Removing barriers to growing community gardens through changes in land use policies would help to increase the consumption of fresh vegetables and lower the obesity rate.  North Carolina is currently ranked the 10^th most obese state in the nation for adults and the 11^th most overweight and obese state for children.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, obesity is the #1 problem facing America today, and the state of North Carolina spends an estimated $24.1 billion each year in obesity-related health care costs.

The potential health care and financial benefits of community gardening cannot be overstated, not to mention the sense of community and social capital that is cultivated in the process.  To learn more about this important effort, please click here.

The reason for the above finding is unknown although some believe that church potlucks and other religious gatherings centered around food – i.e., decadent, high-calorie, high-sodium “comfort foods” which can lead to weight gain – could be a factor.  And most of us are aware of the adverse health effects of carrying excess weight (e.g., an increased risk for heart disease and stroke, type 2 diabetes, certain cancers, etc.) as well as the economic burden that is placed on our healthcare system to treat individuals who are overweight or obese.  For that reason, congregations in our state must continue to promote health as a practice of our faith and to support one another in our efforts to be physically active and to eat healthily.   

To read the article in its entirety, please click here.

Through PHW, congregations are taking matters into our own hands by caring for our bodies, the temple of God, and ultimately working to reduce the healthcare burden on our state.   Thank you for your support!

• Wants to help the community 
• Has the energy and enthusiasm to put an idea into practice
• Is ready to make a change
• Is interested in achieving results
• Knows people who share his/her passion for community change
• Needs a little support and seed money to get things started

If this describes you and you have an interest (no knowledge or experience required, however) in increasing physical activity and/or  increasing access to and consumption of healthy foods in your county, please email me at willona@nccouncilofchurches.org and put "Calling all Community Sparkplugs" in the subject line.  The first few grants will be awarded in Lenoir, Caldwell and Scotland counties only; if these projects are a success, Community Sparkplugs will be introduced in other counties across the state.  To find out what's happening in Lenoir County (i.e., the first county to take advantage of  this unique opportunity), please click here.

It was truly gratifying to hear three of our most recognized and respected leaders in health care and politics talk about the value of North Carolina’s faith community – something that we, at the North Carolina Council of Churches (NCCC), have always known.  In April of 2009, we developed a faith-based health initiative called Partners in Health and Wholeness (PHW), with generous funding from the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation and the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust.  PHW is designed to promote health as a practice of our faith and to provide congregations with the resources and tools to lead healthier lifestyles – i.e., to be more physically active; to eat healthy, well-balanced meals; and to reduce the impact of smoking on themselves and their neighbors.

Through PHW, congregations are demonstrating that our bodies are God’s temple and that, as people of faith, we are to present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to our Maker.  To illustrate, congregations from different denominations and geographic areas in North Carolina are taking part in the PHW Certification Program and receiving recognition from the NCCC and their respective judicatories for their efforts; denominational leaders are showing their support by signing the PHW Endorsement Resolution; pastors are pledging to preach one or more times a year on health as a faith issue; and the NCCC’s Governing Board has adopted policy statements on secondhand smoke, physical activity and nutrition.

May we continue to put our faith to action and set a positive example for others in the community to follow.  As our scriptures teach, people of faith “are the light of the world.  A city built on a hill cannot be hid.   No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house.  In the same way, [our light should shine] before others, so that they may see [our] good works and give glory to [our Maker] in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16, NRSV). 

How to Apply:
To read the requirements for each level of certification and/or to complete an application, please visit the following page on our website:  http://www.healthandwholeness.org/phw-certification.

Testimonials from Participating Congregations:
“As of January 1, 2010, it will be a policy of Cameron Grove A.M.E. Zion Church that: water will be offered at all events or gatherings where beverages are served, at least one sugar free dessert will be offered at all meals where desserts are served, and at least one healthy main dish (non-fried) and at least one fruit will be served at each meal.”   – Cameron Grove A.M.E. Zion Church, Raleigh, PHW Bronze Certified

“The Health Ministry of Mt. Zion Baptist Church presents a health display in the entry of the church one time a month on various topics with brochures, pamphlets and other information.” – Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Winston-Salem, PHW Silver Certified

Twenty-one individuals – many of whom have professional backgrounds in nursing or a related health field – were in attendance to learn about:

1.    Partners in Health and Wholeness and our overall mission to improve clergy and congregant health.

2.    The current problem of physical inactivity, poor nutrition and tobacco use in our state and nation.

3.    What our scriptures teach about caring for own health as well as the health of our neighbors.

4.    Opportunities to get involved in health programs and advocacy.

Also, a representative from North Carolina’s Chronic Disease Self-Management Program, Living Healthy, shared their mission to improve our ability to self-manage our chronic health conditions (e.g., arthritis, diabetes and heart disease) through a series of evidence-based, highly participatory workshops.  Workshop topics include: using your mind to manage symptoms, introduction to physical activity and exercise, pain and fatigue management, healthy eating, medication usage, depression management, etc.  As a PHW Health Partner, Living Healthy will make their materials and services available to people of faith across the state in 2011. 

PHW will hold clergy breakfasts and liaison trainings in different regions of North Carolina throughout the year. To find one near you, please view our program calendar. 

Our scriptures teach that our bodies are God’s temple (I Corinthians 3:16) and that we are to present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God (Romans 12:1).  Unfortunately, many of our brothers and sisters are suffering from chronic illnesses that could be prevented or controlled by getting the recommended amount of physical activity; eating healthy, well-balanced meals; and not using tobacco products.  It is my prayer that the health-related bulletin inserts will serve as an invaluable resource for clergy and congregants as we seek to live an abundant life of health and wholeness (John 10:10).

Please review and download the materials at: http://www.eatsmartmovemorenc.com/FaithBulletinInserts/FaithBulletinInserts.html. 

Five churches are the latest to receive this honor, setting a wonderful example for others in the faith community to follow: Holly Springs Baptist Church, Franklin; New Birth in Christ Holy Church, Hillsborough; Palmer Grove Baptist Church, Kingstown; St. Paul Baptist Church, Enfield; and Watauga Baptist Church, Franklin.

To learn more about the PHW Certification Program and how your congregation can get involved, please visit www.healthandwholeness.org.

In August, PHW held its first Clergy Breakfast on Health at St. James African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church in Goldsboro where Dr. Dwight Cannon serves as pastor. Twenty-five local pastors and public health professionals were in attendance to learn about health as a practice of faith, the state of health in Wayne County, and opportunities to improve the lives of clergy and congregants by participating in PHW and other faith-based health initiatives. The Rev. Joseph C. Brown, Sr., Presiding Elder of the A.M.E. Zion Dunn-Lillington District, was the keynote speaker. The Council will hold similar events across the state in the coming year.

In addition, PHW recently unveiled its new logo.The original PHW logo was modified in order to increase the visibility of the Jerusalem cross at the center.  However, the concept behind the logo remains the same. It illustrates the mission of PHW – 1) to promote health as a faith issue (represented by the Jerusalem cross at the center of the logo); 2) to build key partnerships between existing health programs across the state and the Council’s 6,200 affiliated churches (represented by the four burgundy-colored hands surrounding the cross); and 3) to facilitate congregations to serve as health promotion centers in the community, helping people of faith to lead healthier, more fulfilling lives (represented by the sun – a symbol of happiness, life and spirituality – that is formed by connecting all of the hands together).

Rev. Joseph C. Brown, Sr., Presiding Elder of the A.M.E. Zion Dunn-Lillington District and current member of the NC Council of Churches’ Governing Board, set the tone for the day, delivering a powerful message on health as a practice of our faith.  Rev. Brown used I Corinthians 3:16 as his focus text, reminding us that our bodies are God’s temples and that we glorify our Maker when we take care of ourselves by eating healthily and exercising.  Rev. Brown’s talk was inspiring, funny, honest and thought-provoking.  He challenged pastors to take seriously the health of their congregants and to make clear the connection between our faith and health during weekly worship services.

Karen Padgett, Health Promotion Coordinator at the Wayne County Health Department, presented data from the 2008 Community Health Assessment, highlighting the number of Wayne County residents who suffer disease, disability and death as a result of poor nutrition and physical inactivity.  According to Padgett, 62-66% of residents are overweight or obese.

Next, I spoke about the work of the Council and the mission of our new health initiative, PHW.  I also shared the spiritual relevance of healthy living, the practical relevance for pastors, and details about the new PHW Health Certification Program – a tool to assist and reward congregations for their efforts to promote health and wellness.

Finally, Rev. Rovonda Freeman, Minority Health Coordinator at the Wayne County Health Department, and NC Cooperative Extension Agent, Christine Smith, showed a video by UNC-TV which featured a local health program, Fit and Fabulous.  Through this program, members of the community convene twice a week for 15 weeks to exercise and to learn about proper nutrition.  These classes are very popular among Wayne County residents, so much so they plan to move to a larger space in January 2011 in order to accommodate more participants.  Freeman and Smith then asked everyone to stand up and get moving – both literally and figuratively.  Not only were pastors asked to share information from the day with their congregants and other clergy, but they were asked to put what they had learned to action by taking part in a brief workout before departing.

The Council will hold similar events across the state in the coming year.  Please join us in a city near you!

Regardless of the health indicator being examined – whether it is heart disease and stroke, diabetes, low birth weight, HIV/AIDS, or obesity – disparities in health usually point to inequalities in income and education.  So, it is no wonder that marginalized groups in the U.S. carry a higher burden of disease and disability.

Even our individual health behaviors – for example, whether we exercise regularly or eat healthily – are influenced by such underlying factors as income and education, which in turn predict our access to quality goods and services.  To illustrate, low-income neighborhoods are less likely to have access to fresh fruits and vegetables, sidewalks, walking trails and bike lanes.  And even in those low-income areas where such resources are available, residents might not take advantage of them due to neighborhood crime and the relatively high price of fresh foods.

Various groups are working to eliminate the problem – the American Medical Association, in an effort to ensure quality health care for all, is encouraging physicians to examine their own practices; the American Public Health Association is pushing for comprehensive federal legislation to address the underlying causes of disparities in health status and health care access; and Healthy People 2020, the latest set of 10-year national health objectives put forth by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, will integrate “social determinants of health” – a term which describes those socioeconomic factors that increase or decrease our risk for disease – across all objectives.

The North Carolina Council of Churches, a statewide ecumenical organization that promotes social justice and Christian unity, regards the issue of health disparities as a moral one. The Bible instructs us to “learn to do good; seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow” (Isaiah 1:17, NSRV).  When certain groups are treated unfairly, it insults our Maker. It honors God when we plead their cause (Proverbs 14:31).

To learn more about the elimination of health disparities, please visit the NC Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities’ website at http://www.ncminorityhealth.org/omhhd/.

A Lectionary-Based Resource Illustrating the Spiritual Relevance of Healthy Living

Click here to download (1 Mb)

Introduction

By J. George Reed, Executive Director, NC Council of Churches

Welcome to our worship resources for Partners in Health and Wholeness (PHW). PHW is an ambitious program of the North Carolina Council of Churches designed to help people of faith to see health — their own health — as an issue of faith and to take action that will lead to healthier and more abundant living.

The nationwide obesity epidemic which especially affects NC has serious consequences for both adults and children. Some of the serious health conditions that too often result are diabetes, heart disease, stroke, some cancers, and high blood pressure. While there are a variety of reasons for this epidemic, some of which we have no control over, two of the important causes are our diets and our lack of physical activity— two things over which we do have some control.

Other factors also affect our health: smoking and being exposed to secondhand smoke, inadequate access to health care resources, avoidable falls and other accidents, substance abuse, infectious diseases, environmental exposures, and mental health.

We hope that North Carolina‘s clergy and other faith leaders will promote and model healthier lifestyles for all of us.

Because this is a worship resource and because we are people who base worship on sacred scriptures, it has been important to us to ground this work in the word of God. When I was growing up, passages from I Corinthians (our bodies as God‘s temple) were the basis for saying that Christians shouldn‘t consume alcoholic beverages (I was a Southern Baptist at the time) or smoke tobacco (as you can tell, I was NOT in North Carolina!). Today, I believe that treating my body as God‘s temple speaks to putting healthier foods into it, not putting in harmful substances, and giving it the exercise that health professionals tell us we should get.

But we looked at great length for the biblical passages which command us to eat less saturated fat, go to the gym to work out each day, and engage in other health-conscious activities. We tried out several passages in looking for scriptural support for healthier lifestyles. We read what others have written. On more than one occasion, Samara Joy Nielsen, a Duke Divinity School student interning with us, raised the issue of eisegesis, pointing out (rightly, I might add) that I was trying to make a passage say something today that it wasn‘t really intended to say.

While we have ended up with passages which do promote health and wholeness, we have given up on being able to proof-text healthy diets and physical activity. And we‘ve realized that there are at least three reasons why we can‘t find those “Thou shalts” and “Thou shalt nots”:

1. People in agrarian societies farming with little or no mechanization don‘t need to be told to get their exercise. Several biblical passages speak to the labor involved in farming. Any of us who grew up on farms know how hard that work is. And the few of us who still work the land more or less by hand do not suffer from too little activity and do not need to go to the gym. It‘s people like me, and probably like many of you reading these words, who spend the whole day behind a desk, in a car, sitting at conference tables – we‘re the ones who desperately need the message of physical activity.
2. People who are relatively poor and live in rural areas — then and now — don‘t have access to the rich foods which often compromise our health. So, while there are occasional biblical references to rich foods, most people in biblical times would not have had that as an option, eating instead a subsistence diet of fruits, vegetables, grains, and meats that they produced themselves. Salt and sugar were real luxuries. Trans fats and high fructose corn sweeteners were millennia in the future.
3. Because of centuries of study by medical and nutritional researchers, we know so much more today than we did just a few decades ago:

• The links between smoking (direct and secondhand) and a host of serious health problems.
• The impact of salt consumption on high blood pressure.
• The relationship between exercise and everything from stroke to diabetes.
• The difference between dietary fats, with some being good for you, some bad, and some really terrible.
• The importance of eating whole grains, not refined ones.

So we offer you here a set of worship resources based on scriptural teachings which fit with what we already know about health and nutrition and, I trust, will fit with what we have yet to learn:

• Our bodies as God‘s temples
• The goodness of God‘s creation, and especially of the fruits, vegetables, and grains God gave us to eat.
• The importance of justice and, in the health context, of all people having access to health education, good and nutritious food, and basic health care.

Governor Bev Perdue and representatives from some of the Council’s 2010 PHW Bronze congregations are pictured above. Photograph by Mel Brown of MTF Photography.

The North Carolina Council of Churches’ Partners in Health and Wholeness program held its 2010 Faith and Health Summit in March, drawing together nearly 250 participants to learn about integrating health practices and strategies within faith communities.

Keynote speaker Gary Gunderson, Senior V.P. of the Faith and Health Division at Methodist LeBonheur Healthcare in Memphis, challenged Summit participants to focus on the causes of life rather than on death and disease. Although statistics about illness and disease can prove useful when trying to allocate funds, identify human resources or develop treatment plans, the focus should be on continually seeking the health assets in communities.

The summit, which took place at First Baptist Church in downtown Raleigh, also featured a series of workshops where clergy and others learned how to identify mental health problems in congregants and make proper referrals; how to make more locally, nutritious foods available to people of faith; how to use a faith- and evidence-based approach to address health disparities; how to improve the overall health and safety of clergy and congregants; and the criteria for becoming a PHW Certified congregation.

See a complete list of Bronze-certified congregations here.

Also, with the signing of health care reform legislation into law on the very day that the Faith and Health Summit was held, the workshop on health care reform proved timely. Governor Beverly Perdue addressed the audience during lunch, speaking candidly about her personal commitment to health and her desire to work with the faith community to create healthy and whole congregants. She quoted III John:2 to help illustrate the spiritual relevance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle: “Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, just as it is well with your soul.”

Special thanks to those who helped make this first of its kind event a success, especially to The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation and Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust for funding.