Lecture 6: Spirituality

Housekeeping Read Chapter 6 Mon., 7 for Wed., and 8 for Fri. Personal Health Portfolio for Chapter 6 due Monday, 4/10 Guest Speakers Next Monday and Wednesday: Liz Kirk and Glen Duncan

What we will Cover Today: Definition of spirituality & connection to personal & population health Spirituality in the U.S. Happiness and satisfaction Positive and negative influences of spirituality on health Brief overview of SCOPE research Enhancing spirituality Death and dying, end-of-life decisions

What is Spirituality? A person’s connection to self, significant others, and the community at large A personal belief system or value system that gives meaning and purpose to life Feeling of participation in something greater than self, provides a sense of unity May include belief in a higher power and may be expressed through organized religion. Spirituality ≠ Religion, but they may be interrelated Why am I here?

Spirituality in Everyday Life Connection to self and others A personal value system Meaning and purpose in life

Spirituality in the U.S. What percent of Americans believe in the existence of god or a universal spirit? 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% U.S. Religious Landscape Survey: Religious Beliefs and Practices. June 2008; The Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life 92%

What percent of Americans are absolutely certain of God’s existence? 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% U.S. Religious Landscape Survey: Religious Beliefs and Practices. June 2008; The Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life 70%

What percent of Americans say religion is very important in their lives? 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% U.S. Religious Landscape Survey: Religious Beliefs and Practices. June 2008; The Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life 56%

Happiness and Life Satisfaction 3 components of happiness 9 out of 10 Americans report being happy Wealth, education, IQ, and youth have little impact compared with connections with family and friends, contributing to the lives of others, having a sense of control, and having a religious or spiritual life.

Health Benefits of Spirituality 73% of Americans believe prayer has power to heal Connection between spirituality and health is gaining serious attention in medical/scientific community Physical benefits Mental benefits

Negative Influence on Health? Spiritual conflict in association with health crisis Certain beliefs or value systems may cause a conflict with western medicine or known effective prevention and treatment methods. (ie: condoms) MPH research in Ethiopia. 92% of interviewees indicated that people believe in holy water for HIV/AIDS treatment, rather than antiretroviral therapy (ART) Can faith and medicine work together for improved outcomes?

SCOPE in Ethiopia: The Church, Holy Water, and HIV/AIDSHIV Conducted a 3-month research project in Ethiopia for my MPH as a SCOPE Fellow 50% of population is Orthodox Christian in Ethiopia and that rises to over 85% in Northern Region. Over 100 holy water sites in study area and approx. 42,000 priests in North. Gondar “I would prefer to talk to my priest about my HIV than a health professional”-ART Clinic Nurse Church promotes taking ART + Holy Water, but this is recent Adherence is improving, but there is still much work to be done (ie: religious fasting, education level of priests)

Key Findings Majority believe in holy water for cure Promoting taking ART + holy water is effective for adherence among Orthodox Christians Prevalence is increasing in region 100% of respondents believe the church would be an effective leader on HIV/AIDS Resources needed most are psychosocial support and education, not doctors Faith leaders widely seen as people that respect confidentiality, unlike health professionals

Enhancing Your Spirituality: Looking Inward Meditation/Mindfulness Journaling Retreat The Arts Living your Values (what is important to you?)

Enhancing Your Spirituality: Looking Outward Service Learning Volunteering Social Activism and The Global Community Nature and the Environment

Death and Dying Both have spiritual significance for people of all cultures 89% of Americans described a “good death” as making peace with God Many report that they do not fear death because they know their lives have had meaning within a larger context

5 Stages of Dying and Death 1. Denial & Isolation 2. Anger 3. Bargaining 4. Depression 5. Acceptance

End-of–Life Decisions Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care (DPOAHC) Living will When to remove life-sustaining treatment? Controversial, so individuals can create their own advanced directive Hospice or palliative care Organ donation

For Future: For Monday: Read Chapter 6, 7, and 8 Personal Health Portfolio for Chapter 6 due Monday, 4/10