The Routledge Handbook of Religion, Medicine, and Health

The Routledge Handbook of Religion, Medicine, and Health explores the relationships between religion, spirituality, health, biomedical institutions, complementary, and alternative healing systems. It is a comprehensive reference source for students and researchers in religious studies, sociology, anthropology, and medicine, covering key topics, problems, and debates in the field.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 546 pages
Publication date: 29 January 2024
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

The intricate interplay between religion, spirituality, health, biomedical institutions, complementary, and alternative healing systems has garnered widespread attention in contemporary society. While these discussions often revolve around the biomedical legitimacy of religious modes of healing, the market for these practices continues to expand.
In response to this need, The Routledge Handbook of Religion, Medicine, and Health emerges as a groundbreaking reference source, offering a comprehensive exploration of the key topics, challenges, and debates within this dynamic field. Comprising over thirty-five chapters authored by a diverse team of international contributors, the Handbook is structured into five distinct parts:
1. Healing Practices with Religious Roots and Frames: This section delves into the historical and cultural contexts in which religious practices have emerged as healing agents, examining their roots, frameworks, and impact on health and well-being.
2. Religious Actors in and Around the Medical Field: It explores the roles and contributions of religious individuals, organizations, and institutions in the medical field, including their involvement in healthcare provision, research, and policy-making.
3. Organizing Infrastructures of Religion and Medicine: This part examines the complex networks and institutions that shape the relationship between religion and medicine, including pluralism, competition, and boundary-making processes.
4. Boundary-Making Between Religion and Medicine: It examines the challenges and complexities involved in navigating the boundaries between religious beliefs and medical practices, exploring issues such as religious discrimination, bioethics, and the role of religious institutions in healthcare.
5. Religion and Epidemics: This section explores the role of religion in responding to epidemics and public health crises, examining the historical and contemporary examples of religious responses to infectious diseases, natural disasters, and other health-related challenges.
The Routledge Handbook of Religion, Medicine, and Health is an indispensable resource for students and researchers in religious studies, as well as those in related fields such as sociology, anthropology, and medicine. It provides a comprehensive and interdisciplinary perspective on the complex relationships between religion, health, and medicine, offering valuable insights into the historical, cultural, and social factors that shape these interactions.
By examining the intersections of religion, spirituality, health, and biomedical institutions, the Handbook sheds light on the ways in which these systems intersect, influence, and shape one another. It challenges traditional assumptions and provides new frameworks for understanding the role of religion in healthcare and well-being.
In conclusion, The Routledge Handbook of Religion, Medicine, and Health is a landmark publication that will undoubtedly contribute to the ongoing discourse on religion, health, and medicine. Its comprehensive coverage, interdisciplinary approach, and insightful analysis make it an essential resource for scholars, practitioners, and policymakers alike. As we navigate the complex terrain of healthcare and well-being, this Handbook will serve as a valuable guide, illuminating the ways in which religion, spirituality, and health intersect and shaping our understanding of these important domains.

Dimension: 246 x 174 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032116532