COVID-19 and The Black Church
Start Date
21-6-2021 10:55 AM
End Date
21-6-2021 11:40 AM
Topic
Community Engagement + Community Anchor Institutions
Session Chair
Rosie Love
Abstract
Background and Objective: Of the many 2020 lessons, relying on academic–community research partnerships helped to facilitate community engagement and encourage life-saving health behaviors. Involving Black Faith-Based Institutions as community partners in public health interventions has traditionally been successful in promoting positive health behaviors. The scientific literature, unfortunately, lacked a clear roadmap for pandemic-related public health behaviors and operational transformations with Black Faith-Based Institutions. In order to build productive collaboration with Black Churches, researchers need to understand what is already happening. Therefore, the present study follows two objectives: (1) to examine the content, kind, and type of health information currently shared in Black faith-based institutions and (2) to evaluate and discuss the accuracy of that information with representatives of faith-based institutions. Methodology: A qualitative content analysis of available social media. The study sample included 10 churches from the Capital Region and 10 churches from New York City. Each church was randomly selected from a list of Black Churches in New York State by region. The data collection instrument was designed to capture the social media and sermon content. In addition, common pandemic health behaviors were recorded.
Preliminary Findings: The findings indicate that Black Churches across two regions of New York State were differentially prepared to support their congregations. Some churches social media included pandemic health behavior content that resembled information available from a public health department. For example, some social media was exclusively dedicated to coronavirus resources that were easily accessible. Other churches were not similarly prepared to distribute health behavior content as readily. The social media content, in general, reflected basic health information for those churches who were social media savvy. The service recordings showed many pastors alone in their church or home offices. The videos indicated early demonstration of social distancing. For churches that did not have a social media presence it is unknown the kind of messaging in sermon or public health practice that was passed on to congregants.
Preliminary Summary: The Black Church throughout responses to the pandemic provided spiritual uplift, encouragement and addressed family shortages. There was evidence that many churches provided food, clothing, masks, hand sanitizer, disinfectant, and communal prayer to all who needed it (both church and community members). Many churches found a way to virtually support congregants through prayer and remain a steadfast, trusted resource within the Black community. Given the spread of COVID-19 and social distancing mandates, churches have relied on many ways to remain in contact with its members in order to pass on information, spiritual and emotional support. The coronavirus pandemic has encouraged churches to explore innovative forms of communication to share messages of comfort with their congregants. Despite the shift from in person to online communications, the Black Church remains a beacon of hope and a source of strength for congregants and community members alike.
Author Bio
Collina D. Cooke, LMSW, Ph.C. is a first-generation college student who was born and raised in Brownsville, Brooklyn (NY). She is currently a full time Social Worker-Case Manager at EmblemHealth Health@Work and a full-time doctoral candidate in the School of Social Welfare at the University at Albany (SUNY). In her role as a Social Worker-Case Manager, she provides counseling services, crisis intervention services, and support to patients experiencing work-related illness or injury. In 2014, Collina graduated with her Bachelor of Science (Magna Cum Laude) from the University at Albany (SUNY) and went on to receive her Master of Social Work from the University at Albany (SUNY) in 2015. Shortly after graduating with her MSW, she became a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) in New York State and has since been providing counseling services in various positions throughout the Capital Region. Prior to joining the Health@Work team, Collina worked with underrepresented college students, homeless families, and individuals with substance use and mental health disorders. Collina’s research interests include holistic coping strategies to help decrease the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual impacts of stress on underserved populations. Collina's research includes addressing mental and physical health disparities for Black populations specifically Black women. She has conducted qualitative research on the coping responses and stress experiences of Black women social workers and has collaborated on numerous research projects, most recently on a project highlighting how COVID-19 has impacted the lives of US Black Caribbean frontline essential workers. In addition, she is currently collaborating on research projects highlighting the experiences of African American adult and adolescent caregivers for elderly adults diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease and is the co-principal investigator on a qualitative study exploring the impacts of COVID-19 on the Black Church.
(Presenter)
Dr. Julia F. Hastings is Associate Professor in the Schools of Public Health and Social Welfare. She is interested in reducing health, economic, and service utilization burdens for racially diverse populations. Her research covers three thematic areas: Physical and mental health disparities (e.g., type II diabetes, depression, and oral health); welfare participation; and poverty. Hastings is currently principal investigator of Black family stress and caregiving of loved ones diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease. She enjoys serving on the Black Child Development Community Board. In 2019, she was named Public Health Social Worker of the Year by the PHSW Section of the American Public Health Association. She earned her MSW from the University of Washington and Ph.D. from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Her postdoctoral training occurred at the University of Michigan in the Program for Research on Black Americans at the Institute for Social Research; the School of Public Policy; and the School of Social Work. She also completed a certification in epidemiology from the Department of Epidemiology at University of Michigan’s School of Public Health.
Document Type
Extended Abstract
COVID-19 and The Black Church
Background and Objective: Of the many 2020 lessons, relying on academic–community research partnerships helped to facilitate community engagement and encourage life-saving health behaviors. Involving Black Faith-Based Institutions as community partners in public health interventions has traditionally been successful in promoting positive health behaviors. The scientific literature, unfortunately, lacked a clear roadmap for pandemic-related public health behaviors and operational transformations with Black Faith-Based Institutions. In order to build productive collaboration with Black Churches, researchers need to understand what is already happening. Therefore, the present study follows two objectives: (1) to examine the content, kind, and type of health information currently shared in Black faith-based institutions and (2) to evaluate and discuss the accuracy of that information with representatives of faith-based institutions. Methodology: A qualitative content analysis of available social media. The study sample included 10 churches from the Capital Region and 10 churches from New York City. Each church was randomly selected from a list of Black Churches in New York State by region. The data collection instrument was designed to capture the social media and sermon content. In addition, common pandemic health behaviors were recorded.
Preliminary Findings: The findings indicate that Black Churches across two regions of New York State were differentially prepared to support their congregations. Some churches social media included pandemic health behavior content that resembled information available from a public health department. For example, some social media was exclusively dedicated to coronavirus resources that were easily accessible. Other churches were not similarly prepared to distribute health behavior content as readily. The social media content, in general, reflected basic health information for those churches who were social media savvy. The service recordings showed many pastors alone in their church or home offices. The videos indicated early demonstration of social distancing. For churches that did not have a social media presence it is unknown the kind of messaging in sermon or public health practice that was passed on to congregants.
Preliminary Summary: The Black Church throughout responses to the pandemic provided spiritual uplift, encouragement and addressed family shortages. There was evidence that many churches provided food, clothing, masks, hand sanitizer, disinfectant, and communal prayer to all who needed it (both church and community members). Many churches found a way to virtually support congregants through prayer and remain a steadfast, trusted resource within the Black community. Given the spread of COVID-19 and social distancing mandates, churches have relied on many ways to remain in contact with its members in order to pass on information, spiritual and emotional support. The coronavirus pandemic has encouraged churches to explore innovative forms of communication to share messages of comfort with their congregants. Despite the shift from in person to online communications, the Black Church remains a beacon of hope and a source of strength for congregants and community members alike.
Comments
The recording of this speaker ends at 2:55:20