Building Healthy Communities Through Medical-Religious Partnerships

Book excerpt: This innovative approach to the development of community-based health education and patient advocacy programs offer valuable guidance for religious and medical leaders interested in developing partnerships between health systems and religious congregations. Richard G. Bennett and W. Daniel Hale discuss a range of medical topics and provide practical information on establishing partnerships, identifying resources that can be obtained from local and national organizations, and training volunteers to assist others in navigating our complex health system. In showing that these programs can be successful in bringing appropriate care to people who are often overlooked, the authors pay special attention to the challenges and opportunities presented by our aging and increasingly diverse population--from back cover.