Global Health

Methodism’s focus on health as a part of mission dates to the 19th and 20th centuries when missionaries expanded the options for health care in underserved communities.

Through United Methodist conferences and health boards, Global Ministries works to strengthen whole networks of health responses, from revitalization of facilities and staff training to building better water sources, developing sanitation facilities and promoting nutrition. Global Health continues to concentrate on eradicating preventable diseases, such as malaria, HIV and AIDS and COVID-19, and supporting the most vulnerable populations, including mothers, newborns and children.

Global Ministries is also the lead agency for the UMC’s Abundant Health Initiative.

Explore our ministries

Dr. Soniste Silonga examines Gosim Syrelle in the Mary Johnston Hospital in Manila, Philippines. The hospital is supported by United Methodist Women.

Health Systems Strengthening

Improves quality of health services and healthcare facilities in low-resource settings.

INM Sierra Leone Campaign 2014 — Matilda Ndanema displays the insecticide-treated mosquito net she received from the United Methodist Church’s Imagine No Malaria campaign in 2010 at her home in Bumpe, near Bo, Sierra Leone. The insecticide is nearing the end of its useful life and several villages in the Bo district will receive new nets from the campaign in the first planned redistribution to replace the nets given in 2010.

Imagine No Malaria

Expands the use of malaria prevention, diagnosis and treatment resources.

baby getting weighed at health center — Lukogho Mukandirwa Vianney weighs Flaura Numbere while her mother Lydia Kahambu (center) looks on at the Majengo Health Center in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo.

Maternal, Newborn and Child Health

Increases access to quality maternal, newborn and child health services and reduces morbidity and mortality rates.

Students at the El Sembrador School in Pastocalle, Equador, wash hands at their new hand-washing station thankst o UMCOR, Engineers in Action-Ecuador and the Evangelical United Methodist Church of Ecuador. El Sembrador, a Methodist School, had to buy land and extend its services to include a high school, which Engineers in Action (FIEA) supplied with a connection to the municiple water supply and new restrooms and washing stations. The students and teachers attended workshops and learned new ways to protect themselves during the COVID-19 pandemic. Project completion May 2021. PHOTO: FIEA-Ecuador

Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)

Provides clean and safe water sources and revitalizes sanitation facilities.

Neighborhoods outside Ho Chi Minn City were greatly affected by COVID-19 lock-downs in 2021. SHops and businesses were closed and livelihoods were severely affected. Thu Duc UMC collected and delivered food and other household supplies to affected neighborhoods. PHOTO: JJPARK

COVID-19 Response

Supports health systems and communities around the world in the awareness, prevention and treatment of COVID-19.

Support the work of global health

Read Stories of Impact View All

UMC health facilities prepared and responding to mpox cases

The World Health Organization alert on mpox issued Aug. 14 was no surprise to UMC health facilities in East Congo. Their mpox patients have been increasing for months.

Denomination hits health goals…and keeps going

In 2020, the Abundant Health Initiative hit its goal of reaching 1 million women and children. The church’s work continued, and today, the lives of more than 5 million women and children have been positively impacted with health interventions.

AIDS Conference aims to break down barriers

The April 22 Breaking Barriers AIDS Conference in Charlotte, NC, featured worship, speakers, panels and workshops focused on helping people of faith break the stigma surrounding HIV and AIDS.