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Thanks to an exercise class at her church, Morning Star Baptist in Walnut Hills, Darlene Hughes’ blood pressure, cholesterol and weight all dropped.

Thanks to a cooking class at her church, New Vision United Methodist in Paddock Hills, Aretha Furr has learned the importance of limiting portion size, eating whole grains and reading labels.

Mindful of health disparities for African-Americans compared to whites and recognizing their singular position of trust in the black community, churches are expanding their health ministries in both scope and sophistication.

Aerobics workouts, Zumba, cooking classes, healthy menus, weight training, full basketball courts, walking tracks, mammograms and other health screenings are all increasingly part of the black church experience. Health ministries have come a long way since the late 1930s when nurses’ guilds started tending to sweat-soaked ministers and fainting members during fevered Sunday services and funerals.

Just as 50 years ago in Cincinnati when the black church started to address housing and economic development challenges in black neighborhoods – where it built affordable housing complexes and shopping centers – the institution now is in the business of fruit smoothies and stomach crunches.

“We’re a known entity,” said Robyn Chatman, a physician and co-chair since 2002 of the Morning Star Baptist Health and Wellness Ministry. “A lot of members won’t even go to a doctor, but they will grab me after service and ask for advice. It’s a comfort level.”

The Health Foundation of Greater Cincinnati in May released data for the region that showed how higher rates of poverty and unemployment and lower educational achievement among African-Americans resulted in lingering health disparities.

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article courtesy of BCNN1.com

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