Faith-based programs help Medicaid members
Faith-based programs help Medicaid members
Initiative aims to reduce health care disparities
African-American women with diabetes showed significant health improvements after participating in Keystone Mercy Health Plan's "40-Day Journey," a faith-based educational program at local churches that emphasizes nutrition, exercise, medication compliance, and water intake.
Keystone Mercy, the largest Medicaid managed care plan in Pennsylvania, was awarded the "Recognizing Innovation in Multicultural Health Care" award from the National Committee for Quality Assurance for reducing health disparities and helping African-American women and their families receive appropriate services.
The "40-Day Journey," an educational program for diabetics, is a component of the company's Health Ministry Program, a faith-based wellness program that partners with community churches to help people learn to manage their chronic diseases. More than 2,500 people participated in the program at 12 local churches.
Participants in the six-week program achieved a 20% drop in triglycerides; a 22% drop in LDL cholesterol; a 17% decline in fasting blood glucose; and a 4.5% weight reduction as well as drops in resting heart rate and blood pressure, says Tonya Moody, associate vice president, health promotions and program development for the health plan.
Keystone Mercy collaborated with local hospitals, the American Diabetes Association, the American Heart Association, nursing organizations, the Philadelphia Department of Health, and the Philadelphia Mayor's Office of Health and Fitness to create the program.
The health plan and other coalition partners fund the program, which is supported by community faith-based organizations.
Recognizing that churches often are the most trusted point of contact for people in underserved populations, Keystone Mercy started its Heath Ministry Program nine years ago to address health care disparities among its Medicaid members.
"The local churches have a ministry to help their members stay healthy, and many of them have nurses who volunteer to help members with their health care. We have developed a coalition of community churches and volunteer nurses who work with the community on health care issues," says Maria Pajil-Battle, senior vice president, public affairs and marketing for Keystone Mercy.
The purpose of the Health Ministry program is to educate women and their families about the importance of preventive care and regular screenings, to teach them the risks and warning signs of chronic diseases, and to increase their knowledge of stress triggers and stress management techniques, Moody says.
The health plan targets areas where residents have the highest instances of chronic diseases and comorbidities and work with local churches to present the programs.
"These are community programs, but we personally target our members and send them invitations to participate. We notify our providers in the community and ask them to inform their patients as well. The churches in the area let their members know about the program," Pajil-Battle says.
Other participants are referred by case managers and identified through gaps-in-care analysis.
The program's 40-Day Journey targets women with diabetes and educates them about the importance of healthy eating, losing weight, and increasing their daily cardiovascular activities. It emphasizes and reinforces the importance of seeing their primary care physician and complying with their medication regimen.
Participants meet once a week for six weeks in two-hour sessions that include lessons on topics such as medication compliance, exercise, healthy lifestyle changes, water intake, and nutrition as well as a cooking demonstration and a healthy meal.
To eliminate the numerous barriers for care that Medicaid members encounter, the health plan provides transportation and childcare for participants in the program.
"We want these women to understand what they need to do to stay healthy, so we have worked to remove all the barriers that might prevent them from participating in the program," she says.
"People on Medicaid have extremely stressful lives, and we know that stress can trigger an exacerbation of their chronic disease. We include stress management in our program to help them learn what triggers stress and how to keep it under control," Moody says.
In a related program that is part of the health plan's Health Ministry Program, "The Empowerment Tour for a Healthier Life," Keystone Mercy presented five conferences on different health care topics at five churches in communities throughout Philadelphia. More than 6,000 people participated.
Participants in all the sessions were screened for blood pressure, body mass index, cholesterol, vision, blood sugar, and breast cancer.
Sessions included breast health, diabetes and weight management, high blood pressure and stroke, heart health, and prostate health. The series ended with a program on depression and other behavioral health conditions.
African-American women with diabetes showed significant health improvements after participating in Keystone Mercy Health Plan's "40-Day Journey," a faith-based educational program at local churches that emphasizes nutrition, exercise, medication compliance, and water intake.Subscribe Now for Access
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