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Individual health behaviors are often shaped by religious beliefs and practices, and many health care services around the world are founded on and funded by faith-based organizations or initiatives. The study of religion commonly includes health-related discussions about issues of social justice, equity, gender-based violence, and support for the practical application of economic, social, and cultural rights. At Harvard Divinity School (HDS), students can explore these relationships through both the academic study of religion and through practical training for public service. Several HDS centers and programs explore issues related to global concerns, including women’s health, law, justice, and ethics. 

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Featured Resource

This interview on WGBH speaks with Dan McKanan from the Harvard Divinity School on the history of environmentalism in Boston and how New England colonists began to realize the spiritual and health benefits of nature. 

Featured Resource

The Harvard Divinity School’s Religion and Public Life program has a page dedicated to asking the question “how is religion embedded into responding to  humanitarian challenges?” The page includes readings about specific events such as Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar or HIV-AIDS and Ebola in Africa and provides a list of questions to consider while reading.