The IFLC, together with the Southeast Michigan
Hospital Collaborative (SEMI-HC) and Greater Detroit Area Health Council (GDAHC) wants to let our
clergy from all faiths know that we care about your health and well-being.

That is why we invite you to attend the
upcoming Diabetes Prevention
Leadership Summit as a faith leader representative.  Tuesday, March 24^th at
the Federal Reserve Bank at 1600 E, Warren in Detroit from 8:00 am to 1:00 p.m. 

The Summit is an opportunity to join with other
leaders from healthcare, employers and faith and community-based organizations
to address the challenge of preventing diabetes and
promoting the effective Diabetes Prevention
Program.

Though attendance is by invitation only to area
clergy, it is the hope of (SEMI-HC), the GDAHC  and IFLC that
clergy who participate can then go back to their congregations with a wealth of
knowledge about the importance of preventing chronic diseases such as diabetes
and set an example for their congregants on the importance of taking care of
the whole self: body and spirit.

While working long
hours and tending to the needs of their congregants, clergy often neglect their
own health. Working in ministry is stressful and not finding the time to eat
right and exercise takes a toll.

The declining health of clergy has been studied and documented. For example, a 2019 Wespath survey of 1,200 Methodist clergy found that 81 percent are overweight or obese, up from 78 in 2012. But the good news is that the survey concluded that Methodist clergy are getting more exercise: 4.75 hours each week, that’s more than the average American, who only exercise 2.75 hours weekly.

Another decade-long study by the Duke’s Clergy Health Initiative (CHI) that focused on southern pastors found that an increasing number of this population suffers from diabetes, arthritis, asthma, heart disease, and other chronic conditions. But these ailments are not limited to Methodist pastors and can be found in clergy populations of all faiths.

“Faith leaders, by
their nature … tend to neglect their own health as they put everyone else’s
needs ahead of their own,” said Lisa Mason, GDAHC’s vice president for program
partnerships. “What more powerful way is there to lead their faith congregation
members than to set the example and lead the way?  By enrolling in a Diabetes Prevention
Workshop, we hope their faith community members will be inspired to do the same
for themselves.”

By attending the Summit, clergy can go back to their
congregations to help raise awareness about prediabetes and the
national Diabetes Prevention Program that’s
been proven to work. The Diabetes Prevention
Resource Center can help people understand what prediabetes is,
how to find out if they have it and what to do about if they do have it.

There is no cost but clergy must register by clicking this link. Breakfast and lunch will be served.