Religious beliefs can both hinder and help people stick to their medical treatments, depending on how faith views health, illness, and medicine. In many cases, strong religious ideas lead patients to skip or change treatments that clash with their spiritual rules, but when beliefs support care, compliance often improves.
Take HIV treatment as an example. Science offers powerful drugs like antiretroviral therapy (ART) to manage the virus, but religious and cultural views in places like Kenya sometimes create fear or stigma around it. People might avoid testing or meds because their faith sees HIV as a moral punishment or taboo, leading to lower adherence and worse health outcomes. Studies show that blending religious leaders into health talks helps. By matching treatment advice with faith values, communities reduce shame and encourage steady pill-taking, boosting sustainable health progress.https://www.enpress-publisher.com/journal/JIPD/9/2/10.24294/jipd11627
End-of-life care shows another side. Some religions oppose treatments like euthanasia or abortion for faith reasons. Catholic teachings, for instance, allow skipping extreme measures if they cause too much burden, but reject ending life on purpose. Orthodox Christians view assisted dying as murder or suicide, urging patients to endure suffering for spiritual growth. Jewish law permits stopping some life-prolonging drugs under strict rules, but not active killing. These beliefs can make patients refuse options doctors suggest, affecting compliance with care plans.https://www.britannica.com/procon/MAID-medical-aid-in-dying-debate/Religious-Perspectives-on-Euthanasia-and-Medical-Aid-in-Dying
On the positive side, spiritual support directly lifts adherence. In kidney dialysis patients, a program with spiritual care like prayer and faith talks improved how well people followed their sessions and even helped them sleep better. This works because it meets emotional and spiritual needs alongside physical ones.https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12703117/
Laws also play a role. In the U.S., health rules protect workers and groups who object to treatments like abortion for religious reasons, ensuring they face no punishment for refusing. This respects beliefs but can complicate team-based care if not handled well.https://slphealthcareupdate.com/2025/12/10/hhs-enforcement-actions-warns-providers-grant-recipients-to-honor-religious-conscience-rights/
Doctors and nurses often succeed by listening to patients’ faiths, involving clergy, or tailoring plans to align with beliefs. This builds trust and makes treatment feel right in body and soul.
Sources
https://www.enpress-publisher.com/journal/JIPD/9/2/10.24294/jipd11627
https://slphealthcareupdate.com/2025/12/10/hhs-enforcement-actions-warns-providers-grant-recipients-to-honor-religious-conscience-rights/
https://www.britannica.com/procon/MAID-medical-aid-in-dying-debate/Religious-Perspectives-on-Euthanasia-and-Medical-Aid-in-Dying
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12703117/
