Spirituality
The writer, Saleha Suleman (Cape Town, South Africa) is a scientist and Public Health specialist and has been involved in leadership and community service positions from a young age.
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e often think of health purely in biological or physical terms (symptoms, disease, treatment, and prevention). But health is also deeply personal and is shaped by our beliefs, emotions, and experiences. Whether linked to a specific religion or not, spirituality plays a significant role in how people perceive and respond to health challenges. Spirituality can be defined as a personal search for meaning, purpose, and connection to something larger than oneself, whether that be a higher power, religion, or a sense of interconnectedness. While public health, research, and medicine rely on science, dismissing the role of spirituality in health would be to ignore a key part of human behaviour and decision-making.
Spirituality plays a role in health by strengthening one’s mental health as a coping mechanism. For many, spirituality offers comfort during illness, the belief that there is a reason or a bigger plan behind the current illness. It allows people to find comfort in loss and during times of illness, especially because there is an ultimate purpose to life. Studies have shown that patients with strong spiritual beliefs often report better mental well-being, lower addiction rates, greater resilience, longer life spans, and even improved physical outcomes.
Spirituality can also improve physical health by strengthening the immune system: practices like meditation, prayer, or community support can lower stress levels, which in turn affects overall health. This is because, from a biomedical perspective, chronic stress is linked to inflammation (which will often worsen the symptoms of a disease) and also a range of diseases, so anything that helps manage stress, including spirituality, can have real physiological benefits.
Thirdly, spirituality fosters vital connections and provides a sense of belonging to a community, which is crucial for social and emotional well-being (both of which contribute to one’s overall health).
Spirituality is so deeply embedded in health choices because it provides a sense of agency to a person, a belief that healing is not only in the hands of a doctor but also within oneself or a higher power. Many initiatives are more likely to succeed when spiritual practices are integrated with competent, evidence-based healthcare.
Interestingly, modern technology and globalisation are allowing us to find ways to merge spirituality with healthcare. I recently read about a woman who got into a taxi whose driver was listening to the Quran, and she felt at peace without even knowing what it was. Easily accessible meditation apps, YouTube, AI-driven mental health support, and telehealth counselling are making spiritual wellness more accessible. Hospitals are increasingly incorporating spiritual care services, recognizing that healing is not just about treating symptoms but also addressing emotional and existential concerns.
This intersection of technology, spirituality, and health aligns with a larger movement in medicine—one that shifts from a purely clinical model to a more holistic, patient-centered approach. However, for this to be effective, it must be inclusive, ensuring that spiritual care is available in addition to evidence-based medicine.
The role of spirituality in health is complex. It can be a source of strength, a tool for coping, and a way to foster community. However, it is meant to be used in tandem with medical care. The goal should not be to separate spirituality from health but to find a balanced approach; one that respects beliefs while promoting science-based health interventions.
Those of us in healthcare need to acknowledge that people’s health choices are not just about biology but also about values, culture, and spirituality. By embracing this complexity, we can build more inclusive healthcare systems that truly serve the needs of diverse populations.
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