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

Author

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  • Leuconoe Grazia Sisti

    (Center for Global Health Research and Studies, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
    National Institute for Health, Migration and Poverty (INMP), 00153 Rome, Italy)

  • Danilo Buonsenso

    (Center for Global Health Research and Studies, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
    Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
    Dipartimento di Scienze Biotecnologiche di Base, Cliniche Intensivologiche e Perioperatorie, 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
    Department of Woman and Child Health and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 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)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Leuconoe Grazia Sisti & Danilo Buonsenso & Umberto Moscato & Gianfranco Costanzo & Walter Malorni, 2023. "The Role of Religions in the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Narrative Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-20, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:3:p:1691-:d:1038713
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    Cited by:

    1. Beniamin Liviu Ros, 2024. "Religiosity/Spirituality and the COVID-19 Pandemic," Scientia Moralitas Conference Proceedings 01301, Research Association for Interdisciplinary Studies.

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