Theological virtues, health, and wellbeing

Katelyn N.G. Long and Tyler J. VanderWeele

Abstract: This chapter uses a population health perspective to examine the role of the theological virtues of faith, hope, and love in promoting human health and well-being. We begin with an overview of public health’s traditional focus on health-related exposures and outcomes and then summarize growing evidence that religion and spirituality play a vital role in health and well-being. Next, we review empirical evidence suggesting associations between faith, hope, and love and subsequent health and well-being, focusing on findings from the public health literature. We reflect on what aspects of these virtues are and are not captured by current measures, as well as what might be needed to improve measurement going forward. We describe the role of religious communities in fostering these virtues in the modern context—faith in an era of an increasing sense of meaninglessness, hope in an era of increasing despair and deaths of despair, and love in an era of increasing division. We close by discussing potential implications for public health and human flourishing.

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