By Cherri Gregg

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Illnesses like obesity, HIV and AIDS and diabetes are plaguing African-Americans at rates much higher than other communities. A number of Philadelphia’s black churches have partnered with health care providers to combat the problem.

“We’re asking people to take charge of their health.”

Reverend Terrence Griffith is President of the Black Clergy of Philadelphia and Vicinity. He says Black churches are stepping up to help their members and the greater community live better and longer.

“Our eating habits are not what they should be. We eat greasy foods and we really don’t eat our greens and vegetables. So we are saying to people, you need to exercise and you need to eat healthy.”

Griffith says professionals from Einstein Healthcare Network will provide informational presentations at the fair. Mercy Life and Mercy Home Health will offer free screenings and HIV tests. The free fair kicks off Saturday at First African Baptist Church and runs until noon.

Dates for all events during the Black Clergy of Philadelphia Health Fair are as follows:

June 8, 2012: First African Baptist, located at 1608 Christian Street (9-Noon)

June 16, 2012: Tenth Memorial, located at 1328 North 19th St. (9-Noon)

June 23, 2012: Resurrection Baptist located at 5401 Lansdowne Ave and Mt Zion Baptist of Germantown located at 41 West Rittenhouse St (9-Noon);

June 30, 2012: Greater Faith Baptist, located at 4301 Baring St) and Mt. Zion Baptist of Holmesburg located at 8101 Erdick Street and Mt. Airy Church of God in Christ at 6401 Ogontz Avenue.