A national examination of partnerships among local health departments and faith communities in the United States

Abstract

Local health departments (LHDs) can play a major role in partnering with faith-based organizations to enhance the overall health status of the public. This study examines the frequency that LHDs and faith-based partnerships occur, types of activities performed as reported by LHDs, and population and functional characteristics associated with these partnerships. Secondary data analysis of the 2005 National Profile of LHDs study (Profile), developed by the National Association of County & City Health Officials, was conducted on a stratified random sample of 517 LHDs receiving the core questionnaire and a module with questions about partnership and collaboration. Results indicated that 361 LHDs (83.1%) reported partnership activities occurring with faith-based organizations. At least one partnership activity was performed, with the overall most commonly reported activity as exchanging information (66.6%) across small, medium, and large LHDs. Size of jurisdiction, was positively associated with any partnership activity, higher median number of partnership activities, and higher percentage of high-level partnerships (ie providing financial resources or taking the leadership role). Further studies should consider types of programs and services produced by LHDs and faith-based partnerships, additional factors that impact partnership activities, and differences in partnership activities existing by racial and ethnic characteristics of LHD jurisdictions.