Approaches to Studying Religion and Public Health: A Narrative Review and Interdisciplinary Framework

Religious traditions shape health beliefs, behaviors, and institutions in diverse and complex ways. To understand these dynamics better, public health scholars must examine not only religious content but also the frameworks through which religion is studied. This review identifies and critically analyzes three dominant approaches in public health scholarship: (1) religion as a quantifiable variable, (2) religious institutions as partners in health promotion, and (3) religion as a social force shaping public health. Drawing on recent public health research and interdisciplinary literature, the article examines how each approach conceptualizes religion as a social determinant of health and engages with religious diversity. By mapping the epistemologies, limitations, and strengths of each approach, this article offers a conceptual framework to guide interdisciplinary dialog and methodological integration. The novel framework advocates for reciprocal engagement within and between approaches and for closer collaboration between public health and religious studies scholars to produce more nuanced, culturally responsive, and theoretically grounded research.