Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA, USA.
Fairview Missionary Baptist Church, Oklahoma City, OK, USA.
Health Promot Pract. 2024 Nov;25(6):929-932. doi: 10.1177/15248399231204589. Epub 2023 Oct 20.
Black people represent less than 13% of the population in the United States, but over 15% of COVID-19 deaths, with a mortality rate two times higher than White people. The Black Church system has historically been in a unique position to serve Black communities, particularly during times of crisis. The deep-rooted connection of the Black Church system within Black communities was largely shaped by slavery and segregation. However, there have been questions about the relevance of the Black Church system today. The objective of this commentary is to describe the intersectionality of ministry and health that has been illuminated in a profound way during this pandemic. Those in leadership had to evaluate and disseminate COVID-19 information to congregants, recognizing mistrust of the medical and public health systems still permeates throughout Black communities. Moreover, the death of George Floyd sparked international outcry, which launched church leaders to respond to a second pandemic: systemic racism. Understanding ways the Black Church responded to COVID-19, and systemic racism, is significantly important to public health and medical communities as it addresses the relevance of this system and ways to appropriately support during another public health crisis.
在美国，黑人占总人口的比例不到 13%，但却占 COVID-19 死亡人数的 15%以上，死亡率是白人的两倍。黑人教会系统在历史上一直处于为黑人社区服务的独特地位，尤其是在危机时期。黑人教会系统与黑人社区之间的根深蒂固的联系在很大程度上是由奴隶制和种族隔离塑造的。然而，现在人们对黑人教会系统的相关性提出了质疑。本评论的目的是描述在这场大流行中以深刻的方式阐明的部会和健康之间的交叉问题。领导层必须向会众评估和传播 COVID-19 信息，同时认识到对医疗和公共卫生系统的不信任仍然在整个黑人社区中普遍存在。此外，乔治·弗洛伊德的死引发了国际社会的强烈抗议，促使教会领袖对第二个疫情：系统性种族主义做出回应。了解黑人教会对 COVID-19 和系统性种族主义的反应方式对公共卫生和医疗界具有重要意义，因为它涉及到这个系统的相关性以及在另一个公共卫生危机期间如何提供适当的支持。
