Strengthening Communities through Faith-Based Health Initiatives: APEx Fellowship with Choose Healthy Life

On September 17, the Population and Family Health Department, in collaboration with the Office of Field Practiced, celebrated the students completing APEx with the Choose Healthy Life Program (CHL). A luncheon and discussion were held to celebrate the partnership and the student's success in contributing to the CHL's goals and objectives. Students, faculty, CHL project supervisors, and church leaders attended the event. Representatives from the United Way of New York also participated.

Five Mailman students were selected to participate in an APEx Fellowship with support from the United Way of New York City to support the activities of Choose Healthy Life (CHL). Choose Healthy Life (CHL) is a nonprofit organization focused on providing the Black church – the oldest and most trusted institution in the Black community - with the necessary resources, training, and support to address health disparities in hard-to-reach communities through the delivery of health services and community wellness programs. The UWNYC has partnered with CHL to increase the capacity of churches to implement health promotion efforts and improve access to screenings, vaccinations, and health promotion services in our communities.

Each of the five United Way Fellows was assigned to one of the following CHL APEx projects.   

• Project I. Health Programming Support. Students engaged with the program stand and participated in daily activities to support the CHL wellness program and support data collection activities on program impact.   
• Project II: Supporting Community Engagement and Outreach Plan. Students assisted 20 faith-based organizations in developing a Health Network Outreach plan to maximize connections to primary care for their vulnerable community members.   
• Project III: Community Readiness Landscape Analysis in 5 NYS Cities. Students ascertained the health needs and assets of communities in the upstate NY region and identified at least ten faith-based organizations interested in implementing the Choose Healthy Life program.  

The session began with a panel discussion facilitated by Ana Jimenez Batista to highlight the key insights students learned through their work with CHL. The discussion focused on what they found most rewarding and how the fellowship impacted their future professional goals. Comments and questions from the guests also underscored the value of this partnership for the CHL and the tremendous student contributions. Following the discussion, the guests enjoyed an informal lunch blessed by Reverend DeGraff. It is hoped that the fellowship will continue for Mailman students through generous funding from the New York State Department of Health, and UWNYC.