Religion and spirituality: influence on health/risk behavior and cancer screening behavior of African Americans.

In spite of the diversity in the principles, expression and practice, it is believed that significant improvements can occur in the health status of African Americans if health education and outreach efforts are presented and promoted through religious, spiritual and faith-based venues. Several reports published in the peer-reviewed literature address issues related to religion, spirituality and cancer control among African Americans. This growing body of literature describes outcomes of several cancer prevention and control programs designed for and conducted within the African American faith community. However, few efforts have been undertaken to examine the influence of religion and spirituality on health/risk behavior and cancer screening practices of African Americans within the faith community. This report presents the outcomes of an exploratory study undertaken to examine the influence of religion and spirituality on the health/risk behavior and cancer screening practices of African American congregants. Data suggest a need for tailored and targeted health education, outreach and programming among the targeted group of congregants focused specifically on tobacco control, diet and nutrition, exercise and physical activity, weight management, and cancer screening. The same appears to be the case relative to the need for education, outreach and programming focused on communication with primary care providers.