Religion and Social Health in Muslims

Abstract

This chapter examines how religious involvement affects physical health and influences longevity. If religiosity has any effect on mental and social health, then it ought to influence physical health as well, since our bodies and minds are intimately interconnected, as the latest research in mind–body medicine and psychoneuroimmunology is showing. We review here research in Muslim populations on relationships between religiosity and heart disease, hypertension, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, metabolic disorders, cancer, immune function, endocrine function, perceptions of overall health, and mortality. Besides examining relationships with religiosity, we also compare the physical health of Muslims and non-Muslims and review studies on how fasting during Ramadan influences health and disease management.