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Health Policy and Management, Religion, and Spirituality

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Why Religion and Spirituality Matter for Public Health

Part of the book series: Religion, Spirituality and Health: A Social Scientific Approach ((RELSPHE,volume 2))

Abstract

This chapter reviews theories and empirical evidence on relations between religion and spirituality (R/S) and variables of interest to health policy and management, a public health subfield of concentration for about one-fifth of public health students nationwide. R/S factors may affect health through pathways including health behaviors , social support, psycholog ical states, and religious/spiritual coping , either favorably or adversely.

Spiritual care is an emerging topic in many national healthcare systems including the UK, Australia, and the US, where a capacity for spiritual assessment is mandatory for many healthcare organizations. Overall, access to healthcare is often enhanced by R/S-healthcare partnerships, although inclusion of some services remains contested. Apart from some distinctive religious or cultural groups, R/S is most commonly linked to higher rates of immunization, screening, and adherence to treatment for many diseases. Mixed associations have been observed between R/S factors and utilization of reproductive health services, dementia care, mental health care for schizophrenia, and treatment for sickle cell disease. Several studies suggest that engaging in meditation may be cost-effective for enhancing quality of life, reducing overall medical expenses, and treating medically acute respiratory infections. Published resources, including self-study materials, support professional training in R/S-health issues, skills, and related legal and ethical issues. Studied outcomes from faith-based social services include criminal recidivism, substance abuse, education, employment, wages, and psychosocial skills, with most relationships being favorable.

This chapter is one of thirteen reviews in this volume providing a public health perspective on the empirical evidence relating R/S to physical and mental health.

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Oman, D., Brown, T.T. (2018). Health Policy and Management, Religion, and Spirituality. In: Oman, D. (eds) Why Religion and Spirituality Matter for Public Health. Religion, Spirituality and Health: A Social Scientific Approach, vol 2. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-73966-3_11

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