Carter Center Addresses Realignment of Religious Health Assets

ATLANTA, GA.... The Carter Center's Interfaith Health Program (IHP) will convene 100 leaders of religious foundations, faith groups, and the healthcare field from 25 states nationwide on March 9 and 10. The purpose of the meeting, "Realigning Religious Health Assets," is to explore how foundations, created through the selling of religious hospitals, can build healthier communities by emphasizing prevention and promoting a community-based approach to healthcare.

Describing the current trend of selling religious hospitals as "probably the largest transfer of resources in the history of the church," Director of Operations of the IHP, Gary Gunderson, stated that "This situation presents several important issues that must be considered, and offers unique opportunities that should be embraced. A dialogue among key decision makers in health systems, communities, and faith groups is crucial. That is why we called his meeting."

Co-sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and InterHealth of St. Paul, an interfaith healthcare alliance, the meeting will include presentations by national healthcare leaders, including Dr. William Foege, former head of the CDC and senior health fellow for The Carter Center; Dr. Leonard Duhl, founder and president of the Healthy Cities Foundation; Dr. Karen Wolk Feinstein, president of the Jewish Healthcare Foundation; Byron Harrell, president of Southern Baptist Community Ministries; and Margaret Mary Kimmins, general minister of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany Health System. A report summarizing recommendations made at the meeting by key panelists and discussion groups will be published by The Carter Center this fall.

A gathering of The Coalition for Healthier Cities and Communities will follow the "Realigning Religious Health Assets" meeting. Approximately 70 members of the coalition will attend a one-day meeting at the Center on March 11 to discuss the role faith groups can play in improving the health of populations. The coalition will also discuss priority issues for its 1997-98 policy agenda.

Both meetings are closed to the public. Media interested in covering the "Realigning Religious Health Assets" meeting should contact Ann Carney at 404/420-5126 by Friday, March 7.