Most U.S. Faith Congregations Offer Health Care, Health Education and/or Health Care Advocacy
In 2006–2007, researchers at the National Council of Churches USA (NCC) conducted a survey of more than 6,000 American faith congregations to determine the range of health care related activities and services provided by the congregations, allowing it to create a database of congregational health care activities.
Key Findings
According to results from the Congregational Health Ministry Survey Report:
- A majority of churches provide health care ministries in three distinct areas: health education, direct health care services and advocacy of public policy issues related to health care.
- The 6,037 congregations who responded to the Congregational Health Ministry Survey report a total of 78,907 health ministry programs, an average of 13 health-related activities each.