As healthcare leaders widely recognize, churches are second homes to their members and ideally situated-indeed called-to serve their communities with the loving and personal care that a stressed healthcare system cannot deliver. Daniel Hale and Harold Koenig, national leaders in health ministries, offer a practical and engaging primer on developing a variety of initiatives for all who are concerned and interested-pastors, parish nurses, lay leaders, and concerned parishioners. Their short volume mixes real-life congregational case studies with vital information to equip congregants in helping people manage illness, navigate the healthcare labyrinth, avoid or manage disability, and even provide some life-saving and preventative medical services. While their case studies report on the many kinds of engagement congregations have taken on, each chapter also provides basic information on the most common healthcare challenges-diabetes, skin cancer, stroke, heart disease, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, breast cancer, prostate cancer, glaucoma, and depression-and what can be done in local congregations.

How can religious and health care organizations work together to create community-based health care programs? Because health care works best when patients assume greater responsibility for their own health, community outreach and patient education are essential. But where can health care organizations find the resources to educate large numbers of people about chronic diseases? How can they tailor programs to meet the needs of increasingly diverse communities? And how can they reach people who have no ties to the health care system? Building Healthy Communities through Medical-Religious Partnerships presents an innovative approach to community-based health education and patient advocacy programs targeted at the prevention and management of disease. Offering valuable guidance for religious and medical leaders interested in developing programs in their congregations and communities, the book includes practical and accessible information for establishing health education programs, identifies additional resources that can be obtained from local and national organizations, and discusses a range of medical topics. It also outlines how to train volunteers to assist others in navigating our complex health system. This latest edition, which has been thoroughly revised and updated, incorporates * new chapters on medical topics across the lifespan, including lung disease, kidney disease, and child and adolescent health issues; * a thorough assessment of medical-religious partnerships that have emerged over the past twenty-five years; and * a user-friendly website with downloadable resources-including an instructor's guide, PowerPoint slides, and ready-made handouts.