Faith Communities and Global Health

Raman Bedi is Emeritus Professor at King's College London, United Kingdom, and President-elect of the World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA). As former Chief Dental Officer for England, his career has spanned academic leadership, public health policy, and international health development. His research focuses on transcultural oral health, non-communicable disease (NCD) management, and health equity. He is President of the Christian Dental Fellowship (CDF).Following his life changing conversion, he served ten years on the General Synod of the Church of England and was founding chair of its Race and Community Affairs Committee. His strong Christan faith informs his public health approach today. Beatrice Merli is an MSc student at Bocconi University, Italy. Her research focuses on Public–Private Partnerships (PPPs) and social infrastructure investments, with a specialization in global health financing from the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies. She is a research intern at the World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA) and volunteers with Working for Wasa. Raised Catholic, she identifies as a spiritual person.Esther Okorodudu is an MSc student in Public Health, with interests in epidemiology, health equity and the intersection of faith, gender and well-being. As a research intern at the World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA), she explores how religious communities influence health practice and policy. Raised in a Christian household, guided by her mother’s faith, her faith shapes her approach to public health.  Nicole Gesare is an MSc student in Public Health at Umeå University, Sweden. Her research interests are in health equity and in migration, culture and religion as determinants of health and wellbeing. She is a research intern at the World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA) and at Unisanté, Switzerland. Raised Anglican, she identifies as spiritual but not a practicing Christian. Thuto Serufe Makara completed an MSc at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom, and will begin her PhD studies shortly. As an intern at the World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA), she has published several academic papers. Her research spans cancer and the role of faith in promoting wellbeing. A practicing Christian, her faith drives her commitment to communicating the healing power of faith.

• Chapter 1. RELIGIOUS FOUNDATIONS OF PUBLIC HEALTH.- Chapter 2. ETHICS AT THE FAITH-HEALTH INTERFACE.- Chapter 3. FAITH-BASED HEALTH SYSTEMS CONTRIBUTION.- Chapter 4. FAITH AND TRUST IN HEALTH CRISES.- Chapter 5. RELIGION AND MENTAL HEALTH TRANSITIONS.- Chapter 6. FAITH, GENDER AND HEALTH INEQUITIES.- Chapter 7. RELIGION AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS.- Chapter 8. GOVERNING STATE-CHURCH PARTNERSHIPS.