Alabama churches get health help from state

The Alabama Department of Public Health is looking toward the faith-based community as another means of promoting good health throughout the state.
   
“Physical health is tied to spiritual health,” said Miriam Gaines, director of the department’s nutrition and physical activity unit.
   
“We want to look at a person as a whole person. We go to schools and town meetings, and we felt the faith community was one area we had not worked with closely in the past.
   
“We see it as a wonderful opportunity to share our information,” she said.
Churches, synagogues and other faith-based organizations frequently offer exercise, cooking and weight management classes, Gaines pointed out. She said the health department wants to make sure that the faith community gets the correct nutrition information.
   
“Right now, one of our dietitians is going to a church in Lowndes County, teaching low-fat cooking,” Gaines said. “After that class, they get to sample the food to show it tastes good, then take a short exercise break. They are learning book knowledge and how to implement it. That implementation stage is so important. Most people know that an apple is better for them than a doughnut, but they choose a doughnut.”
   
She said Alabama’s approach isn’t unusual. “North Carolina is one of several states that has done a lot of church-based health programs for minorities, and they have seen such remarkable improvements,” Gaines said.
   
Churches and other faith organizations who want more information about how the health department can help may call Gaines’ unit at 334-206-5649.
   
“We will be glad to provide them with some materials and help them get set up with some type of program,” she said.