Why FAN?

With strong physical health, church members can become stronger in spirit and more active in church life.  We find confirmation in the Bible and know that there is great value in good health.

"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?  You are not your own; you were bought at a price.  Therefore, honor God with your body,"  I Corinthians 6:19-20 (NIV)

FAN was developed as a tool to help address ethnic health disparities in South Carolina. 
Cardiovascular disease is the #1 killer of African Americans.

► High blood pressure: African Americans not only develop the disease earlier in life, but also tend to have a higher average blood pressure reading than Whites

► Stroke: SC had the second highest stroke death rate in the nation in 2002 and is part of the area referred to as the “Stroke Belt”

► Diabetes: African Americans are twice as likely to have diabetes as Whites and are three times as likely to die from it

FAN is not just a study, it is an opportunity to introduce small changes that become healthy lifestyle habits.  Habits that are likely to be passed on to the next generation.  Long term, we should see a significant decrease in the health disparities of AME members of the 7th Episcopal District.