Health Emergency Declaration (HED)
The National Black Church Initiative Health Emergency Declaration
Multi-generational family The Black community, because of its historic disadvantage of not being a part of the original American democracy -- some would say the American experiment -- and because of its horrible health composition and status, can ill afford to wait for health reform that will not truly take hold for another ten years.

The National Black Church Initiative, having grown morally frustrated on the pace of achieving equality in health in any area, is moving with immense speed to reveal its Health Emergency Declaration (HED) that will institute throughout its 34,000 churches proven health prevention strategies and models that will begin to alter, transform and eliminate the negative health statistics between whites and blacks in this country.
  1. Know your body Know your body.
  2. Visit the doctor Visit the doctor.
  3. Increase fruit and vegetable intake Increase your fruit and vegetable intake by 150%.
  4. Increase physical activity Increase your physical activity by 150%.
  5. Get enough sleep Get enough sleep (8 hours).
  6. Take 'mental breaks' Take "mental breaks" to reduce stress.
  7. Quit smoking Quit smoking or do not start smoking.
The National Black Church Initiative Health Emergency Declaration: A National Health Prevention Program .pdf [1.6mb] The National Black Church Initiative declares a national health emergency in the Black church highlighting the health crisis in the African American community. This paper explains why we are taking such dramatic actions and the proven, scientific methods we will be using to solve the crisis.
Health Emergency Declaration Slide Presentation .ppt [1.6mb]
This is a detailed Powerpoint slide presentation summarizing the solutions, strategies and scientific-based modeling that we will employ in HED. small image of NBCI report
CME Outfitters Announces Partnership with National Black Church Initiative
Partnership will deliver healthcare education and resources to an estimated 27.7 million members of the African- American and Latino communities on a multitude of therapeutic areas and disease states
CME Outfitters logo "We are honored to collaborate with the National Black Church Initiative to leverage our partnership to address unmet medical needs in marginalized and underserved communities through our shared missions of improving healthcare through education. This partnership will provide evidence-based strategies to clinicians and patients nationwide to address health disparities and social determinants of health. We stand on the precipice of enacting real change that not only improves life but extends it in these historically overlooked communities," said Kashemi Rorie, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer of CME Outfitters.

"Our collaboration will educate not only NBCI's 150,000 constituents and members – which include over 17,500 healthcare professionals - but also an estimated 27.7 million members of the African American and Latino communities."
tinyurl.com/56rpuab6

See all available CMEO High-Quality Continuing Medical Education Information

NBCI CTEAPP End of the Year 2021 Progress Report and Successes


The National Black Church Initiative (NBCI) 2021 Statistical Progress Summary .pdf [605mb] NBCI Clinical Lecture Tour 2019-2020
The Ground Breaking Year of NBCI Clinical Trials Education and Participation Program (CTEAPP)

2022 Statistical Progress to Date (Includes YouTube and Facebook video views and page summary data)
  • CLINICAL TRIAL LECTURE TOURS: NBCI hosted experts in clinical research to discuss the importance of diversity and representing African American and Latino communities in clinical trials.
  • NBCI MOBILE CLINICAL TRIAL PAVILION: NBCI developed a mobile pavilion with clinical trial facts and principles for every community to visit with their family.
  • CLINICAL TRIALSURVEYS & LITERATURE:
    • Total clinical trial knowledge survey distributed -12,903
    • Average clinical trial knowledge surveys collected -7,741
    • Total Research Includes Me literature disseminated -6,000

NBCI National Clinical Strategy: A New Path Toward Clinical Trials In the African American Community


The National Black Church Initiative is initiating a fifteen part nationwide lecture series that will highlight noted African American clinicians and to further NBCI Trials Education Awareness and Participation Program (CTEAPP) .pdf [6.09mb]. The lecture series is another important building block of creating an expansive clinical trials initiative to increase minority participation. The goal of NBCI/ CETEAPP is to assure 15 percent or more black participation in clinical trials.

Who are some of the Clinicians giving the lectures?

  • We will select clinicians who have made enormous impacts in particular clinical areas and whose research will effect African Americans.
  • These clinicians must be connected to a major teaching university, be published, and have a strong pharmaceutical relationship, committed to increasing AA in the clinical trial space.
Continue to the lecture tour video archives

The National Black Church Initiative Launches Major Sickle Cell Disease Education and Outreach Initiative in 100 churches in Atlanta, Georgia
.pdf [57kb] Washington D.C., -- December 13, 2021 -- The National Black Church Initiative (NBCI), a coalition of 150,000 African American and Latino churches that constitutes 27.7 million churchgoers, is partnering with the sickle cell disease community to launch a major disease education and outreach initiative in approximately 100 churches in the Atlanta, Georgia metropolitan area.

Sickle cell disease is an inherited group of disorders in which red blood cells contort into a sickle shape. The cells die early, leaving a shortage of healthy red blood cells (sickle cell anemia), which can block blood flow causing pain (sickle cell crisis), organ damage, and early death.
Take steps to help end the silence around endometrial cancer!
When it comes to endometrial cancer, identifying symptoms and seeking help is especially important for the African American community. Did you know that only 53% of Black women are diagnosed with endometrial cancer (EC) at an early stage, when their cancer may be more treatable?
  • Download resources that can also be printed and shared.
  • Links to animated videos, patient stories and educational literature around the symptoms and risk factors of endometrial cancer.
  • Guides to help you clearly communicate your concerns with your doctor

Small moments can help you SPOT Endometrial Cancer

Images by William H Joseph

NBCI National Sickle Cell Project

NBCI recognizes that due to Sickle Cell Disease (SCD)'s chronic and lifelong challenges, many young adults with the disease are at risk for health-related stigmatization. SCD can affect all aspects of their life including their physiological, psychological, and social well-being. Image of Sickle Cell Newsletter NBCI is partnering with the sickle cell disease community to launch a major disease education and outreach initiative.

This is "The Year of Clinical Trial Diversity"!

National Black Church Initiative has been working to develop new resources to help promote diversity in clinical trials. Shirley story cover We have five new public service announcements, a blog, and an infographic to encourage minorities to join clinical trials. The videos feature Shirley Miller, who is living with sickle cell disease, or Dr. Luciana Borio, Acting Chief Scientist at FDA. They share their views on why diversity in clinical trials matter and encourage patients to learn more.

Colon Cancer – A Preventable Tragedy A National Faith – Based Strategy

Chadwick Boseman by Ryan Meinerding

The U.S. Census Bureau estimates there are nearly 42 million African Americans, comprising about 13 percent of the total US population. The U.S. Cancer Statistics Working Group estimates that approximately 18,000 African American men and women were diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2013, and in just that same year, 6,850 of them died from it.

Blood Disease: Connecting African American Communities to Free Multiple Myeloma Information, Expert Care, and Support

The purpose of the Myeloma Link Pilot Program was to implement a church-based initiative in black communities, particularly low-income communities, in an effort to: 1) heighten awareness of myeloma; 2) increase knowledge about the disease and treatment; 3) provide information and resources that will empower patients to seek novel treatments and enroll in clinical trials in a timely manner, and 4) encourage patients and caregivers to use a new, sustainable support infrastructure.

NBCI Corporate Capability Statement

NBCI has the capability of reaching African American and Latino target populations with health literature and information anywhere in the United States where there are black churches.NBCI Corporate Capability Statement

Health Emergency Declaration (HED) Kick-off

Rev Evans holding NBCI health note

The press conference was held March 28, 2010 at the Israel Baptist Church, Baltimore, MD, kicking off a seven year commitment to healthier lifestyles for all African Americans through education, pre-screening, improved diet, physical exercise, and clinical trials

Baltimore represents the first HED health community, one of 35 such communities across the country.

Sickle Cell Literature Church Distribution

Rev Evans and usher holding Generation S material

The National Black Church Initiative has provided literature on Sickle Cell Anemia to churches. Continue to view images of this activity

Policy Resources

Visit the NBCI HIV/AIDS
Initiative Page


The church must work with health experts to come up with plans to stop AIDS in all segments of the African American community.

Visit the NBCI Autism
Awareness Page


Our Health Emergency Declaration in recognition of the significance of Autism Spectrum Disorders in the African American Community.

The Health Benefits of Fruits and Vegetables: A Scientific Overview

Research behind eating more fruits and vegetables

The Black Church and the Importance of Good Nutrition

What the Black church needs to say to congregations about good nutrition.

How Science-based and Community-based
Organizations May
Work with the
Black Church


Producing Effective
Health Promotion
and Policy Initiatives