How does freedom of religion and belief affect health and wellbeing?

What is this research about?

VicHealth has partnered with the Australian Human Rights Commission to conduct an investigation into the effects that freedom of religion and belief can have on individual health and community wellbeing.

VicHealth is interested in exploring the effects of religious belief and practice, as well as religious discrimination, on health and wellbeing. There is evidence of a link between ethnic, race-based or religious discrimination and poor health outcomes (see VicHealth’s 2007 Report: More than tolerance: embracing diversity for health). There is also evidence that social support and participation are associated with good health and may be offered by some religious communities.

The broader context of this project relates to the Ministerial Council on Immigration and Multicultural Affairs’ endorsement (in 2006) of the National Action Plan to Build on Social Cohesion, Harmony and Security (NAP).

As part of the NAP, the Australian Human Rights Commission was funded to undertake a project on Freedom of Religion and Belief in the 21st Century. The Australian Human Rights Commission has commissioned the Australian Multicultural Foundation (AMF) in association with RMIT and Monash University to prepare a core report on that topic. The project has been designed to work with faith communities and other civil society organisations to record their concerns and proposed solutions to build a more socially cohesive and harmonious society.

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What is the research methodology?

The ‘How does freedom of religion belief affect health and wellbeing?’ project consists of the following elements:

• A national call for submissions (which closed on 28 February 2009) 
• A comprehensive review of the literature (ongoing) 

 How does freedom of religion and belief affect health and wellbeing? 

On the basis of public consultation and literature reviews, the final project report will aim to improve the evidence base surrounding the effects that freedom of religion and belief have on health and wellbeing. It will inform governments, faith communities, NGOs and other relevant organisations and will contribute to ongoing debates surrounding religious freedoms in Australia. It will contribute a public health perspective to the broader Australian Human Rights Commission and AMF project on Freedom of Religion and Belief in the 21st Century.