NEWS PROVIDED BY
Faith and Health Connection
Nov. 17, 2022

SPARTANBURG, S.C., Nov. 17, 2022 /Christian Newswire/ -- Federal health agencies fail to recognize spirituality as a component of health and wellbeing. Their websites do not offer resources regarding spiritual health and these agencies provide limited funding for quality research in this field.

By not recognizing this important facet of wellbeing, our federal government is contributing to the spiritual demise of our citizens says Dale Fletcher, Executive Director of Faith and Health Connection. This impacts negatively on personal wellbeing, the public health of our nation, and its related plaguing social issues such as substance abuse, unemployment, crime, violence, and suicide.

Fletcher invites individuals to learn about this issue, and how they can make a difference, by reading a comprehensive blog post – Spirituality and Health in the Federal Government.

Care for the wellbeing of a person must include care for the whole person, including the spirit, as the spirit and body are intricately interwoven. Science demonstrates that 'sicknesses of the spirit' such as worry, bitterness, shame and despair can be the underlying cause of many physical illnesses. Strong spiritual health enables a person to better meet their deep spiritual need to feel loved, accepted and valued. Spiritual wellbeing helps a person to better cope with stress, be more resilient, and heal from past trauma. It can offer hope, inner peace, and forgiveness, and create an 'inner environment' that promotes improved emotional, mental, and physical health.

A robust spirituality is a protective factor for many physical, emotional, and mental illnesses. Prominent institutions such as Harvard, Stanford, and Duke recognize this and the role that spirituality plays in wellbeing and health. Scientific research over the last few decades clearly demonstrates a positive relationship between religion/spirituality and health and wellbeing.

Fletcher believes that all federal health agencies should include spirituality as a component of health and provide appropriate funding for research. Fletcher's post provides rationale supporting this stance and recommendations these agencies should implement. One recommendation is that research be funded to identify the underlying spiritual factors that cause people to perpetrate mass shootings. The post also offers ways in which individuals can have a voice and make a difference in this matter.

Fletcher also encourages individuals to participate in a current Open Comment Period regarding the Healthy People 2030 Initiative. This period ends December 2, 2022.

Regarding the impact that individuals can make, Fletcher says, "I believe that a group of people who are informed and concerned can influence our government to recognize the role that spiritual health plays in wellbeing. I invite readers to prayerfully read the blog post and consider being an advocate in support of this important issue that affects the wellbeing of our nation's citizens."

SOURCE Faith and Health Connection

CONTACT: Dale Fletcher, M.S., Executive Director, 704-502-2121

Related Links

www.faithandhealthconnection.org