How might religion benefit cardiovascular health among Black Americans?

Participating in religious activities appears to benefit cardiovascular health among Black Americans. It’s something we explored in an episode on this podcast a few years back.

Health systems, professional societies and researchers are increasingly recognizing that “faith-based organizations are trusted institutions within underserved communities and that people not only seek spiritual refuge and salvation in these places of worship, but they are also wonderful, trusted vessels to  distribute reliable health information,” says Dr. LaPrincess Brewer, a faculty member in the division of  Preventive Cardiology, department of Cardiovascular Medicine at Mayo Clinic.

“Participating in religious activities from church services to private prayer, as well as holding deep spiritual beliefs are  linked to better cardiovascular health among Black Americans," according to researchers of a 2022 study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

The researchers go on to suggest that recognition by health professionals and researchers of the centrality and influence of religiosity and spirituality in the lives of African American adults may serve as a means to address cardiovascular health disparities.

In an episode that was first published in 2023, Movement Is Life’s Dr. Mary O’Connor spoke with Dr. Brewer, whose primary research focus is reducing cardiovascular disease health disparities in racial and ethnic minority populations  and in underserved communities, and Clarence Jones, a community engagement specialist and former director of community engagement at a federally qualified health center in Minneapolis who has extensive experience in  collaborating with community and faith-based partners in promoting community wellness and access to health services. 

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