State gathering data on church-provided health services

By Mary Kaye Ritz
Advertiser Religion & Ethics Writer

When nearby homeless or people in need show up at Kaumakapili Church, interim secretary Kevin Kamakaiwi pulls out a sheet of phone numbers and tells them where they can get health services and other help.

People gravitate toward Kaumakapili for many reasons besides its location in the heart of Kalihi, he said:

It was also where the Kalihi-Palama Health Center started, in the basement, 20 years ago.

The health center has moved a few blocks down, but the needs of the area have grown.

To get a sense of that need and who is helping to fill it, the state Department of Health is conducting a survey of which health-related activities are being provided by faith groups such as Kaumakapili Church, which belongs to the United Church of Christ.

"Churches are a natural avenue to help people, especially immigrants," said Susan Yates at the Office of Health Equity, adding that the survey will include Buddhist, Jewish and other faith groups as well.

About 1,500 to 2,000 surveys will be mailed to faith groups statewide by the end of March, asking them if they provide health services, or even space to another group that does.

Such health activities include blood-pressure screenings, exercise and walking programs, smoking cessation, diabetes management, alcohol or drug recovery programs, parenting classes, healthy heart or healthy eating programs, health education and mental-health groups.

The surveying was contracted out to QMark, a private polling firm affiliated with Starr Seigle Communications that will follow up with phone calls after the mailing. Then they'll assemble a mailing list to reach people using those services.

"We suspect lot of people get health information from their faith organization," Yates said. "This is a way to go to reach people with health messages."

The information gleaned also will be used for planning. For example, if 42 walking classes are found, "maybe there should be 142 walking classes," she said.

The long-term goal is to find pairings between the faith-based and public sectors, especially in light of President Bush's push for faith-based initiatives.

"Public health has been a government-funded entity," Yates said. "Both (government and the faith community are) concerned about the well-being of people. It's a nice marriage to work toward better health."

It is hoped the project will be taken over by the faith-based community, Yates said.

"It should be spearheaded. There's a drive to put up more programs. This information could be helpful to groups applying for grants."

Pat Medeiros, who handles outreach at Kaumakapili, said a directory of health services would be a godsend.

She pointed out where the dental clinic used to be, downstairs from the church office, amid old sofas and stacks of chairs.

"There's a lot of clients who come here who need that help," she said.

Reach Mary Kaye Ritz at 525-8035 or mritz@honoluluadvertiser.com.