With close to 13 million baptized members (a community of 20 million) and about a half a million new members joining each year, Seventh-day Adventism is one of the fastest growing denominations in the world. Adventists work in 203 of the 228 countries and areas recognized by the United Nations and communicate in more than 717 languages. The mission of the church places great emphasis on different aspects of human freedom and responsibility. These include: religious liberty and human rights, humanitarian aid and development, better lifestyles, health and wholeness, education and personal growth, as well as social issues and community involvement. Wholeness and health have been an emphasis of the Seventh-day Adventist church since the 1860s when the church began. The Bible reminds us that the body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, and we have been entrusted with the privilege of maintaining and improving our spiritual, mental, social and physical health. Health Ministries promotes good health and the prevention of ill health to help achieve this goal of wholeness. Health of the community is a vital focus of Health Ministries. The Breathe-Free Plan to Stop Smoking is successfully being run in many countries throughout the world, and has brought freedom to many who struggled with tobacco addiction. It is one of the oldest programs in the world to help people quit smoking. The use of alcohol and other sensory-altering drugs is actively addressed through community programs from Health Ministries and other collaborating organizations.

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