On Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in partnership with the Faith Health Alliance and National Minority Quality Forum’s Center for Sustainable Health Care and Equity, held a virtual town hall at Payne Chapel Ame Church.
Hosted by Pastor Nicole Slater, the event featured music, food and prizes along with praise and worship services.
Participants discussed issues related to spreading good health this holiday season amid COVID-19 and the flu – and used the event as a launchpad to plan activities to support congregants’ understanding of the importance of flu and COVID vaccination and inform the community how to access vaccines.
According to The Rev. Dr. Terris King and Bishop Dr. J. L. Carter, who are leading Faith Health Alliance, African Americans have suffered vaccine disparities, COVID-19 infection and death, and other health inequities – through less knowledge and access, social and economic barriers and discrimination and bias in the health system.
Pastors can play a pivotal role in closing these deadly gaps.
“The church is committed to spiritual and physical healing – we are spirit and body,” the Rev. Dr. Carter said.
The Rev. Dr. Terris King added; “The interrelatedness of health equity and faith is being renewed nationally by the Faith Health Alliance, organized first to fight COVID and the flu in 10 cities through increased Immunization. Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health care is the most shocking and inhuman. Prayerfully, this is a new beginning in addressing that.”
This effort is supported by funding from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Minority Quality Forum’s SHC vaccine initiatives also receive support from Sanofi Pasteur.
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Media Contact
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