20 Feb 2025, 07:06Enoch Kanagaraj BEMWatford, Hertfordshire, England, United Kingdom
Faith-led Health Initiative Tackles Inequalities Across Hertfordshire and West Essex
Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care Board (HWE ICB), in collaboration with One Vision, the Health Innovation Network, and the Office for Life Sciences, has launched a pioneering initiative to tackle health inequalities and improve cardiovascular health outcomes across the region.
This faith-led health partnership is a landmark approach that strengthens the connection between healthcare services and underserved communities by working directly with faith leaders, churches, and community groups. Recognising the trusted role of faith institutions, this initiative integrates health awareness, early detection, and preventive care into faith-based settings, ensuring accessibility and inclusivity for all.
Faith in Action: A Community-Driven Health Initiative
At the heart of this initiative is the belief that faith communities play a vital role in promoting health and well-being. By hosting health education sessions, screening events, and wellness programmes within places of worship, the project fosters trust, engagement, and proactive healthcare participation.
Key areas of focus include:
Early Detection and Prevention: Community-based health screenings for high blood pressure, cholesterol, and other cardiovascular risk factors, coupled with health education campaigns.
Data-Driven Public Health Strategies: Using research and community insights to identify health disparities and tailor interventions for greater impact.
Empowering Faith Leaders as Health Champions: Training and equipping faith leaders to act as community connectors, encouraging healthier lifestyles and greater access to NHS services.
Breaking Barriers to Health Access
This partnership also aims to remove systemic barriers that prevent many from seeking healthcare, such as:
Cultural and language challenges that may prevent individuals from engaging with mainstream health services.
Mistrust in the healthcare system, which faith-based engagement can help to rebuild.
A lack of culturally relevant health resources, which this initiative seeks to address through faith-informed health literacy programmes.
Leadership Reflections on the Initiative
Kevin Hallahan, Health Inequalities Lead at NHS Hertfordshire and West Essex ICB, stated:
“This is a fantastic opportunity to work alongside faith leaders to improve health outcomes for their congregations. Faith communities are integral to addressing inequalities, and their involvement will undoubtedly make a lasting difference in people’s lives.”
Enoch Kanagaraj BEM, Founder of One Vision, shared:
“Our mission has always been to bring people together, and this partnership highlights the transformative power of collaboration. By working alongside faith leaders, we are not only bridging healthcare gaps but also empowering communities to take charge of their health.”
Sharon Platt-McDonald, Director of Health Ministries at the British Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, added:
“Faith communities offer a unique space for holistic well-being—physically, mentally, and spiritually. This initiative strengthens our ability to reach individuals who may otherwise be overlooked by traditional healthcare pathways, ensuring that everyone has access to the support they need.”
A Model for Future Faith-Health Collaborations
In addition to cardiovascular health, this initiative sets the foundation for future faith-led healthcare programmes, addressing wider health challenges such as diabetes, mental health, and cancer awareness. Through shared purpose and collective action, faith communities and healthcare professionals are shaping a healthier, more equitable future for all.
For media enquiries, please contact:
Priyanka Gandhi, Head of Operations
priyanka@ovwatford.org
This Seventh-day Adventist-supported initiative reflects a forward-thinking approach to tackling health inequalities, showcasing the strength of faith-driven health advocacy. By working together, faith institutions, healthcare providers, and community leaders are paving the way for a more inclusive and healthier society.
Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care Board (HWE ICB), in collaboration with One Vision, the Health Innovation Network, and the Office for Life Sciences, has launched a pioneering initiative to tackle health inequalities and improve cardiovascular health outcomes across the region.
This faith-led health partnership is a landmark approach that strengthens the connection between healthcare services and underserved communities by working directly with faith leaders, churches, and community groups. Recognising the trusted role of faith institutions, this initiative integrates health awareness, early detection, and preventive care into faith-based settings, ensuring accessibility and inclusivity for all.
Faith in Action: A Community-Driven Health Initiative
At the heart of this initiative is the belief that faith communities play a vital role in promoting health and well-being. By hosting health education sessions, screening events, and wellness programmes within places of worship, the project fosters trust, engagement, and proactive healthcare participation.
Key areas of focus include:
Early Detection and Prevention: Community-based health screenings for high blood pressure, cholesterol, and other cardiovascular risk factors, coupled with health education campaigns.
Data-Driven Public Health Strategies: Using research and community insights to identify health disparities and tailor interventions for greater impact.
Empowering Faith Leaders as Health Champions: Training and equipping faith leaders to act as community connectors, encouraging healthier lifestyles and greater access to NHS services.
Breaking Barriers to Health Access
This partnership also aims to remove systemic barriers that prevent many from seeking healthcare, such as:
Cultural and language challenges that may prevent individuals from engaging with mainstream health services.
Mistrust in the healthcare system, which faith-based engagement can help to rebuild.
A lack of culturally relevant health resources, which this initiative seeks to address through faith-informed health literacy programmes.
Leadership Reflections on the Initiative
Kevin Hallahan, Health Inequalities Lead at NHS Hertfordshire and West Essex ICB, stated:
“This is a fantastic opportunity to work alongside faith leaders to improve health outcomes for their congregations. Faith communities are integral to addressing inequalities, and their involvement will undoubtedly make a lasting difference in people’s lives.”
Enoch Kanagaraj BEM, Founder of One Vision, shared:
“Our mission has always been to bring people together, and this partnership highlights the transformative power of collaboration. By working alongside faith leaders, we are not only bridging healthcare gaps but also empowering communities to take charge of their health.”
Sharon Platt-McDonald, Director of Health Ministries at the British Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, added:
“Faith communities offer a unique space for holistic well-being—physically, mentally, and spiritually. This initiative strengthens our ability to reach individuals who may otherwise be overlooked by traditional healthcare pathways, ensuring that everyone has access to the support they need.”
A Model for Future Faith-Health Collaborations
In addition to cardiovascular health, this initiative sets the foundation for future faith-led healthcare programmes, addressing wider health challenges such as diabetes, mental health, and cancer awareness. Through shared purpose and collective action, faith communities and healthcare professionals are shaping a healthier, more equitable future for all.
For media enquiries, please contact:
Priyanka Gandhi, Head of Operations
priyanka@ovwatford.org
This Seventh-day Adventist-supported initiative reflects a forward-thinking approach to tackling health inequalities, showcasing the strength of faith-driven health advocacy. By working together, faith institutions, healthcare providers, and community leaders are paving the way for a more inclusive and healthier society.
