Churches Work With Medical Experts To Eliminate Diabetes, Obesity And Other Health Disparities

GREENSBORO, N.C. - Oct. 16, 2014 - PRLog -- As Americans struggle with high rates of preventable and treatable diseases, Healthy Churches 2020, a national conference presented by The Balm In Gilead, Inc., will convene in Greensboro, N.C., Nov. 13 -15, at the Sheraton Greensboro at Four Seasons/Koury Convention Center.  Healthy Churches 2020 will offer education sessions and workshops on disease prevention, care and treatment in order to strengthen the knowledge and skills of people involved in faith-based health activities such as a health ministry, annual church health fair, community kitchen, faith-based clinic or other health programs.

The conference will equip attendees to address pressing health concerns, including diabetes, obesity, mental illness, smoking cessation and Alzheimer’s, in their congregations and communities.  Those invited to attend include pastors, church members, medical professionals, health ministry coordinators, nurses, community health workers, missionaries, auxiliary chairs, social workers and health department representatives.

“Healthy Churches 2020 will provide basic knowledge as well as advanced clinical information and hands-on experience to help churches make health education and compassionate care a vibrant part of their institutions,” said Pernessa C. Seele, founder and CEO, The Balm In Gilead.  Dr. Seele goes on to state that according to Pew Research, 87 percent of African Americans are church-affiliated and 53 percent attend church weekly, and therefore churches have a unique opportunity to become community centers for health education, screening and compassionate care.

A highlight of Healthy Churches 2020 will be a performance by VaShawn Mitchell, an award-winning gospel singer, songwriter and producer. Mitchell is best known for his number one hit, “Nobody Greater.”

For a full schedule and registration information visit http://www.HealthyChurches2020.org

Keynote speakers and topics include:

• Bishop Claude R. Alexander Jr., senior pastor, The Park Church, Charlotte, NC (treating the body and soul)

• Rovenia Brock, PhD, (“Dr. Ro”), award-winning nutritionist, author and TV personality; advisory board member, The Dr. Oz Show (nutrition)

• The Rev. Dr. James A. Forbes, Jr., president and founder, Healing of the Nations Foundation; senior pastor emeritus, The Riverside Church in the city of New York

• Sandra Gadson, MD, co-medical director, Northwest Indiana Dialysis Center, Gary, IN; international president, Women’s Home and Overseas Missionary Society of The African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church (kidney health)

• James R. Gavin III, MD, clinical professor of medicine at Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta and at Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis; former president, American Diabetes Association (diabetes)

• Benita Perkins, president, Benniegirl Healthy Lifestyle and Branding Events (fitness)

• Bishop Horace E. Smith, MD, pastor, Apostolic Faith Church, Chicago; attending physician, Lurie Children’s Hospital, Chicago (cardiovascular health; pediatric oncology)

• Janet E. Taylor, MD, MPH, practicing psychiatrist and television personality (mental health, trauma, depression and suicides)

• Eve Wright, vice president and general counsel, The HEAT Group and American Airlines Arena, (healthy lifestyles)

• Charlotte Yeh, MD, chief medical officer, AARP Services, Inc. (brain health, Alzheimer’s disease)

Healthy Churches 2020 is endorsed by multiple faith denominations and institutions: The African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, The Conference of National Black Churches, The Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, Howard University School of Divinity, The National Baptist Convention of America, Inc., The Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology of Virginia Union University, Shaw University Divinity School, Virginia Council of Churches, Women’s Home and Overseas Missionary Society of the AMEZ Church and the Women’s Missionary Society of the CME Church.

The Balm In Gilead has been at the forefront of educational and training programs specifically designed to meet the unique needs of African American and African congregations that strive to become community centers for health education and disease prevention.

Healthy Churches 2020 sponsors are AARP, CVS Health and the National Council of Churches.  Black Health Matters is the conference media partner. For information and registration visit healthychurches2020.org or call 888-225-6243. Follow the conference on Facebook: HealthyChurches2020, Twitter @HC2020 and Instagram @TheBalmInGilead.

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For More Information:
Denada Jackson
Rhue Still, Inc.
Visuals at: http://www.healthychurches2020.org/media-center (http://www.healthychurches2020.org/media-center%20)