Abstract
Differences in religious faith-based viewpoints (controversies) on the sanctity of human life, acceptable behaviour, health-care technologies and health-care services contribute to the widespread variations in health care worldwide. Faith-linked controversies include family planning, child protection (especially child marriage, female genital mutilation, and immunisation), stigma and harm reduction, violence against women, sexual and reproductive health and HIV, gender, end-of-life issues, and faith activities including prayer. Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, and traditional beliefs have similarities and differences in their viewpoints. Improved understanding by health-care providers of the heterogeneity of viewpoints, both within and between faiths, and their effect on health care is important for clinical medicine, public-health programmes, and health-care policy. Increased appreciation in faith leaders of the effect of their teachings on health care is also crucial. This Series paper outlines some faith-related controversies, describes how they influence health-care provision and uptake, and identifies opportunities for research and increased interaction between faith leaders and health-care providers to improve health care.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1776-1785 |
| Number of pages | 10 |
| Journal | The Lancet |
| Volume | 386 |
| Issue number | 10005 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 31 Oct 2015 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© 2015 Elsevier Ltd.
Funding
We searched PubMed, PsycINFO, and CINAHL for articles published in English between Jan 1, 1975, and Dec 31, 2014 with the search terms “faith”, “religion”, “ethics”, “controversies”, and “health care”. We also searched websites of faith-based and secular organisations with expertise and experience in religious faith and health care. This online publication has been corrected. The corrected version first appeared at thelancet.com on October 30, 2015 Contributors All authors contributed to the design of this Series paper and participated in discussions on the different sections and emphases. All authors read, revised, and critiqued the successive versions and agreed on the final manuscript. AT coordinated the paper. Declaration of interests We declare no competing interests. Acknowledgments The writing of this Series paper, and the review process by the Lancet Working Group on Faith and Global Health was supported by Capital for Good.
| Funders | Funder number |
|---|---|
| Capital for Good | |
| Center for Global Health |
