NBCI Launches Vaccines Campaign and Parkinson's Advocacy Program in April

The National Black Church Initiative launched two new health programs this month, targeting vaccine awareness and Parkinson's disease education in Black communities.

The NBCI, a coalition of 150,000 African American churches representing 27.7 million members, kicked off its "Vaccines Are Good for America" social media campaign on April 19, 2026. The campaign runs across Instagram, Facebook, Twitter/X, and TikTok, and is designed to counter vaccine hesitancy that has grown in some communities since the COVID-19 pandemic.

On April 9, the organization also launched the African American Parkinson's Patient Advocacy Organization, known as AAPPAO. The group aims to increase awareness of Parkinson's disease in Black communities, where the condition is often underdiagnosed. Research has shown that Black Americans are less likely to receive a Parkinson's diagnosis than white Americans, even when symptoms are present.

NBCI president Rev. Anthony Evans said both programs reflect the organization's commitment to addressing racial health disparities through the church. "The church is where people trust," Evans said. "If we can bring health information into the pew, we can save lives."

The organization also announced a YouTube series called "Keep Your Wife on Your Team," focused on marriage and family health, launching April 20. A separate Parkinson's brain health social media campaign is scheduled to begin April 25.

The NBCI has been active in health advocacy for years, running programs on immunization, maternal health, housing, and financial literacy. The organization says it reaches communities that are often missed by traditional public health campaigns.

The launch of AAPPAO comes as researchers continue to study why Parkinson's disease is underrepresented in Black patients in clinical trials and medical literature. Advocates say better data is needed to improve treatment outcomes for Black Americans with the condition.