Does Religion Influence Health and Behaviors During a Health Crisis?

In Brazil, during the COVID-19 pandemic, religious beliefs played a notable role in lifestyle habits and health choices. A survey conducted among 694 people in the city of Alegre revealed that nearly half identified as Catholic, while a third identified as Protestant. Individuals without religious affiliation, often younger, exhibited distinct behaviors, such as higher alcohol consumption.

Catholics and Protestants share certain traits: they are generally older, more often married, and consult medical services more frequently than those without religion. However, Protestants stand out for their greater abstinence from alcohol and increased reluctance toward COVID-19 vaccination. This vaccine hesitancy, observed in other countries, could be explained by religious or political influences specific to certain communities.

Socio-demographic differences are also pronounced. Catholics are predominantly white and more financially secure, while Protestants include more individuals from diverse ethnic backgrounds and those living in urban peripheries. These disparities reflect broader social dynamics, where religious affiliation intersects with access to resources and healthcare.

Age emerges as a key factor: the older a person is, the more likely they are to be Catholic or Protestant. Marriage and the use of health services also reinforce these affiliations. Conversely, younger and single individuals are more often found among the non-religious, a group that tends to have higher education levels but also more modest incomes.

This study highlights how religion, beyond its spiritual dimensions, shapes health behaviors and individual choices during times of crisis. It also underscores the importance of considering these links to better understand social and health inequalities, particularly in contexts where religious networks play a central role in daily life.

Source Mentions

Source Document

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-026-02657-8

Title: Exploring the Relationship Between Religion, Health, and Sociodemographic Factors in Brazil During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Journal: Journal of Religion and Health

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Authors: Michael Ruberson Ribeiro da Silva; Patrícia Silva Bazoni; Ronaldo José Faria; Alciéllen Mendes da Silva; Eduardo Frizzera Meira; Jéssica Barreto Ribeiro dos Santos