A reformed critique of public health policies and practices in KwaZulu-Natal: a case study of Greytown Uniting Reformed Church in southern Africa.

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between religion and health. It aims to establish a common framework of strengths, barriers, and recommendations for positive church responses to public health issues in order to inform an improved collaborative strategy between members in the Greytown Uniting Reformed Church in Southern Africa. Many churches are currently successfully involved in community development and empowerment, providing health workers and agencies with support and helping meet tangible needs of the people. In responding to the reformed critique of public health policies and practices in KwaZulu-Natal, this study undertakes a detailed analysis of key areas, namely the prospects and challenges for interchange and partnership between the worldviews guiding action of Reformed theology and public health in KwaZulu-Natal, the public health policies and practices in KZN, the role of Reformed Theology in public health, the opportunities and challenges of public health and reformed theology, a model that can be implemented to shape activities, formations and consequences to strengthen collaboration between public health and reformed theology, and ways the state and the church can collaborate to improve the public health system. The study is rooted in a theoretical framework of the African Religious Health Assets Programme (ARHAP) which has developed a theory to help establish the link that exists between religion and health in healthcare. The conclusions from the ARHAP theoretical framework are engaged in this study to identify tangible and intangible religious health assets and how they contribute to health promotion and care.