Faith and culture in health care: Using collaborative relationships to address critical concerns -- A Roundtable Discussion

The Essential Living for Muslim Women Inc. Breast Health Initiative, a breast health education and screening program designed for Muslim women, will be highlighted as a successful program increasing breast health awareness and access to breast health services for Muslim women in Atlanta, Georgia. Networking and community assessments are valuable in establishing trust and credibility prior to providing services. Muslim Women trained as Community Health Advisors representing culturally diverse backgrounds, conduct breast health education sessions, while female Muslim health care professionals perform free clinical breast exams, followed by calls and /or referrals to the program participants.

Essential Living for Muslim Women Inc. Breast Health Initiative increases awareness of breast health self care and improves access to breast health services among Muslim women residing in metro Atlanta. Our trained health advisors from various Muslim communities provide culturally and linguistically appropriate outreach and education on breast health and breast cancer.  Our program is mobile.  We go directly to Muslim places of worship, holiday gatherings, conferences and private homes with a formal presentation.  When space and privacy permit, we conduct free clinical breast exams performed by a female Muslim health care provider.  Our program primarily targets Muslim women, since many outreach efforts are generally not sensitive to our cultural traditions. Services are, however, open to all women regardless of religion, culture, ethnicity, and so forth. Specific presentations have also been tailored to younger women and adolescents.

Since June 2006, we have educated more than 840 women and have performed over 113 clinical breast exams.  Our current  funding allows us to provide free screening/diagnostic mammograms and diagnostic follow-up for our uninsured participants. 

This reproducible program places an emphasis on empowering women to take an active role in their health.  In order to reduce health disparities in this diverse and vulnerable population, it is important that health service providers be knowledgeable of the importance of the cultural, traditional and religious practices in the lives of Muslim women and their impact on health behaviors. 

The goal is to provide workshop participants with cultural competencies to effectively provide health care services to Muslim women.  They will learn the impact of religion and culture on the lives of Muslim women in the U.S. and how they influence health beliefs, practices and access to health care.  Issues of modesty, cultural taboos, misinformation and discrimination will be addressed in the context of their contribution to health disparities in this underserved population.

Workshop participants learn the basic tenets of Islam; health beliefs/practices; interaction   and strategies to service Muslim women. This workshop will increase one’s awareness and sensitivity to needs of Muslim women and increase comfort levels among this population.