National Black Church Initiative Urges Members to Stay Current on Vaccines Amid New Health Push

The National Black Church Initiative, which represents 150,000 African American churches and 27.7 million members, launched a "Vaccines are Good for America" social media campaign on April 19, urging members to stay current on immunization schedules.

The campaign is part of a broader health push by the NBCI, which works to eliminate racial disparities in healthcare, technology, education, housing, and the environment.

The coalition is also expanding its Parkinson's disease education program. A new initiative called the African American Parkinson's Patient Advocacy Organization launched on April 9 in Houston and St. Louis. A "Parkinson Brain Health" social media campaign is scheduled for April 25.

NBCI President Rev. Anthony Evans said the church has a responsibility to bring health information directly to communities that have historically faced barriers to care.

"Our churches are trusted institutions," Evans said. "When we speak on health, people listen."

The NBCI is also working with the American Clinical Health Disparities Commission on a plan to increase African American and Latino participation in clinical trials. Researchers say minority communities are underrepresented in clinical research, which can affect the relevance of findings for those populations.

Additional NBCI programs this spring include a Heart First pilot in Miami and Charlotte, a Black Maternal Health campaign, and a new arts and theater guide covering Black theatrical performances.

Member churches are urged to renew their membership by June 15, with a goal of 25,000 renewals. The NBCI's "Reach Out, Reach Back Campaign" is scheduled for June 10.