The Role of Religions in the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Narrative Review

Leuconoe Grazia Sisti (), Danilo Buonsenso, Umberto Moscato, Gianfranco Costanzo and Walter Malorni
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Leuconoe Grazia Sisti: Center for Global Health Research and Studies, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
Danilo Buonsenso: Center for Global Health Research and Studies, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
Umberto Moscato: Center for Global Health Research and Studies, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
Gianfranco Costanzo: National Institute for Health, Migration and Poverty (INMP), 00153 Rome, Italy
Walter Malorni: Center for Global Health Research and Studies, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 3, 1-20

Abstract: Culture, religion and health are closely intertwined, profoundly affecting people’s attitudes and behaviors as well as their conception and experience of illness and disease. In order to analyze the impact of religion in the current COVID-19 pandemic, we performed a literature review investigating both the scientific and grey literature on the topic. COVID-19 outbreaks reported in pilgrimages and religious ceremonies around the world—especially in the first wave of the pandemic wave—and the role played by religion in conveying culturally sensitive information about COVID-19 are some of the evidence we reviewed. Our research highlights how religions have represented, on the one hand, a risk for the spread of the virus and, on the other, a precious opportunity to engage people, and in particular minorities, in fighting the pandemic. To overcome this pandemic and to be prepared for similar ones in the future, scientists, politicians and health professionals should acknowledge the role that culture and religion play in people’s lives and how it can assist in tackling complex health challenges.

Keywords: COVID-19; religion; health determinants (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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