The Healthy Gospel: Study Reveals How Religious Beliefs Influence Health Behaviors 

The church has been an anchor for many people in the Black community. A recent study revealed that religion played a role in one’s health. According to the& American Heart Association, Those who believe religion plays a vital role in their health may be more likely to eat fruits and vegetables, be physically active, and have confidence asking questions of healthcare providers than their peers who don’t share that belief. The report was based on a study by Tulane University’s School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine students in New Orleans. Their findings reveal that the church’s strong support has led to healthy people in the congregation.& “The black church has played an important role in their constituents’ spiritual, social, and physical well-being. The more cynical view would be that people are just leaving it up to God. But I think what’s happening here is we’re showing the opposite. It’s actually through the support from church that it can improve your health,” said Farah Allouch, epidemiology PhD student at the Tulane School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. Allouch and the team behind the study sent a questionnaire to 300 Black churchgoers in New Orleans. Through the answers, they discovered...