What is the “CHI” or Congregational Health Index?

The Congregational Health Index or “CHI” is a survey tool and guide to help your congregation discover opportunities for improving your health, and challenges to getting there.  The CHI will show you how to make healthy eating and physical activity choices available to everyone at your faith community. (Haga un clic aquí, para el Índice de la Salud de Su Congregación; ahora es una copia borrador.)

The CHI was based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) School Health Index or “SHI” and their School Wellness Policy work, adapted by Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon and Community Health Partnership: Oregon's Public Health Institute for faith-based settings. (Read more about the SHI.)

The CHI considers your congregation as a whole instead of what individuals are doing, because healthy changes are more likely to last and to affect more people when we look at an entire setting.  The Index takes into account how you use your building and grounds and your food and activity traditions, with a focus on policies or guidelines to make your wellness intentions known and to help you stick with them. (See the Wellness Pledge  for Faith Communities to put your commitment into writing and More about the CHI.)

Your congregation can choose how to work through the CHI questions and come up with a plan that fits your unique strengths, goals and dreams.  The process is designed to bring out simple, realistic, and low-cost options for healthy changes.  It can also assist you in thinking about bigger projects, like putting in a vegetable garden or play equipment, which may take months or longer to fund and complete.