African Americans (AA) experience health inequalities that affect their utilization of advance care planning (ACP) and hospice and palliative care at end of life (EOL). Faith-based health promotion models may be applicable to ACP and EOL care literacy for this population. The purpose of this integrative review was to examine the literature highlighting participant responses to ACP and EOL care literacy initiatives in AA faith communities. An integrative literature review was conducted using the following databases: PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, and PsychINFO. Eight primary sources met inclusion criteria. Findings from these studies indicate that integration of AA religious beliefs and practices into ACP and EOL care educational programs may enhance the efficacy of these efforts in promoting ACP, advance directive completion, and hospice use. Building trust, creating community partnerships, and involving church leadership in ACP and EOL care literacy promotion efforts serve as important elements to inform future initiatives.
Keywords: African American; advance care planning; advance directive; churches; end of life; faith; hospice.