Religious diversity, health and healthcare in Canada

Book Chapter: Is religion still a factor in how Canadians understand and experience health? And if yes, how? This chapter will examine religious diversity as it relates to health and healthcare, and will include a consideration of individual experiences of health and well-being, healthcare workers and institutions, and population health. Particular attention will be paid to the ways that religious groups and individuals have played a formative role in building the Canadian healthcare system, as well as hospitals and medical schools. I will document the ways that recent shifts in immigration have raised new issues for healthcare institutions and workers by opening up new debates around the meaning of health, and in particular raising questions around religious healthcare considerations for patients. The chapter concludes with an exploration of current pressing public health issues in Canada as tied to religious diversity and suggestions for further study and research.

Book: This book is intended for advanced undergraduate and graduate students interested in learning about the many ways in which religious diversity is manifest in day-to-day life Canada. Each chapter addresses the challenges and opportunities associated with religious diversity in a different realm of social life from families to churches, from education to health care, and from Muslims to atheists. The contributors present key concepts, relevant statistical data and real-life stories from qualitative data. The content of the book is supplemented by links to online learning resources including videos, websites and photo essays.