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Background
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CDC and public health in general have a rich
history of working with faith-based organizations
(FBOs) and other community-based organizations
(CBOs). Over the decades, state and local public
health officials have found support from places of
worship in delivering immunizations, conducting
well child clinics, and responding to the
devastation of diseases like HIV. Specifically,
CDC has more than a decade of experience directly
funding FBOs/CBOs to address HIV, diabetes,
cancer, and other health promotion efforts
within communities. Many states have modeled
their use of Federal funds in a similar manner.
It is recognized that FBOs/CBOs have valuable
assets and unique access to populations that may
suffer a disproportionate burden of the nation's
preventable diseases. Federal support of FBOs/CBOs
is especially critical in addressing the cultural,
behavioral, social, and environmental determinants
affecting health.
The CDC is actively involved in funding participatory
research that examines disease interventions provided
by or through faith-based organizations, supporting
faith-based organizations to deliver health promotion
and protection services, and developing the capacity
of faith-based organizations to collaboratively work
to improve the health of individuals, families, and
community populations in schools, places of worship,
and other community settings. Funded activities
have ranged from outreach for immunization, to
prevention and promotion initiatives for HIV,
violence against women, infectious diseases, chronic
diseases (including diabetes, breast and cervical
cancer, heart disease, and stroke), reduction of
health risk factors related to nutrition and physical
activity, and occupational farm safety. The ongoing
work at CDC is directly supportive of the President's
Faith-based and Community Initiatives.
The President's Faith-based and Community Initiatives
President Bush has always been strongly committed to
helping Americans in need by reaching out to and
expanding the role of faith-based and community
organizations. The President envisions an America
where people in need are served by people who care.
To achieve this goal, the President believes the
Federal government can remove barriers that prevent
faith-based and grassroots groups from doing more to
help Americans in need. The actions taken by President
Bush make it easier for people in need to access
services from the broadest range of providers possible.
By eliminating discriminatory barriers to Federal,
social, and health service participation by faith-based
and community groups, the President is empowering
grassroots groups that have a proven record of
improving the lives of Americans in need. CDC and
ATSDR are fully committed to achieving the President's
Faith-based and Community Initiatives.
For more information on the Faith-based and Community Initiatives visit the
White House Office of
Faith-based and Community Initiatives Internet site.
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This page last reviewed: May 6, 2003
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