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Description of organization:
The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) promotes and protects the health of the public and the environment. The agency’s central office, located in Columbia, operates eight regional public health and environmental offices, as well as local health departments and clinics to ensure that programs and services meet the needs of local communities. OMH serves as principle advisor to the agency on public health and environmental issues affecting minority populations in the state. The goal of OMH is to improve the health of minority communities by ensuring the development or modification of policies, programs, strategies and initiatives to effectively target and provide culturally appropriate services to communities of color. OMH also provides information, consultation and technical assistance within the department and to other agencies and organizations in order to build capacity and promote collaboration and coordination of efforts to address racial and ethnic health disparities and other minority health issues.

Description of project:
The goal of the SC DHEC-Office of Minority Health's Faith and Health Grant Initiative is to reduce the disproportionately high rates of cardiovascular disease among African Americans in South Carolina by building the capacity of African-American churches to address cardiovascular disease through health ministries. DHEC's OMH has provided leadership, training and technical assistance to African-American churches across South Carolina to assist them in developing and implementing activities that promote physical activity and good nutrition and prevent tobacco use. OMH has also created the Alliance for African American Faith-Based Health Initiatives, a statewide coalition of community and faith leaders involved with African-American health issues, to serve as a resource to faith-based organizations wishing to address cardiovascular disease.