A Duty to Save Lives and Souls: Why Faith Institutions Must Lead on Health

Articulated Insight – “News, Race and Culture in the Information Age”

A split image showing a man in a suit on the left and a decorative cross on the right, symbolizing faith and leadership. — Dr. Fredrick Echols advocates for faith institutions to lead in health initiatives, blending trust and evidence-based care.

I was raised in a Pentecostal church, where faith and fellowship shaped much of my early life. I also saw something else: the importance of open, factual dialogue about health and prevention. For many families, including my own, the church was not just a place of worship, it was a place of comfort and trust. But I also witnessed how faith, when not balanced with evidence, can have devastating consequences.

One of the most painful lessons came from my aunt, a woman of deep faith and unwavering devotion. At the advice of well-meaning religious leaders, she stopped taking her high blood pressure medication, believing that prayer alone would be enough. Within months, her untreated hypertension led to renal failure. She spent years on dialysis before passing away. Her death was not just the result of illness; it was a tragic reminder of what happens when misinformation and faith collide.

That experience changed me. It showed me that silence about health and the spread of inaccurate information can cost lives. And it reinforced my belief that faith and science are not adversaries; they are partners in healing.

Today, houses of worship across all traditions stand at a crossroads. They can embrace their role as trusted messengers for health, or risk watching preventable suffering multiply in the very people they are called to serve.

Every major religion carries a moral mandate to protect life and care for the vulnerable. Christianity reminds us that caring for the sick is caring for Christ Himself (Matthew 25). Islam teaches that saving one life is like saving all of humanity (Qur’an 5:32). Judaism’s call to tikkun olam (repairing the world) frames health as a spiritual obligation.

These teachings are not symbolic. They are practical blueprints. Congregations gather weekly, providing countless opportunities to weave health into the rhythm of worship and community life.

When churches, mosques, synagogues, and temples make health a ministry priority, results follow:

Healthier habits. Faith-based wellness programs have helped thousands eat more fruits and vegetables, move more, and make sustainable lifestyle changes.

Stronger hearts. Church- and mosque-based programs have lowered blood pressure and reduced cardiovascular risk in communities disproportionately affected by chronic disease.

Vaccine confidence. Faith leaders who opened their doors to vaccination clinics and addressed fears from the pulpit helped boost immunization rates and rebuild trust.

Mental-health support. Faith-community nurses and trained lay leaders have created safe spaces for difficult conversations, breaking stigma and connecting people to care.

These successes share a common thread: trust. When a pastor, imam, or rabbi speaks, people listen.

But what happens when faith institutions avoid these conversations—or worse, spread messages that fuel stigma?

Suggesting depression is merely a lack of prayer discourages people from seeking lifesaving treatment.

Treating conditions such as HIV, cancer, or addiction as moral failings isolates those who need compassion most.

Sharing unfounded fears about vaccines or chronic illness spreads misinformation faster than truth.

Stigma is not just hurtful, it is harmful. It keeps people from getting screened, diagnosed, or treated in time. It increases suffering in silence and erodes the very trust that makes houses of worship powerful agents of healing. Faith communities must commit to reducing stigma by sharing accurate, culturally appropriate, and digestible health information that empowers rather than isolates.

The path to health-centered ministry is not complicated, but it does require courage and clarity:

Create health ministries. Recruit healthcare professionals and trained volunteers to lead ongoing wellness efforts.

Build partnerships. Collaborate with local hospitals, health departments, and community organizations for screenings, vaccinations, and education.

Preach prevention. Use scripture to highlight the importance of caring for the body as a temple and encourage practical steps like screenings and exercise.

Address stigma head-on. Host open discussions that debunk myths, affirm dignity, and provide resources.

Normalize mental health. Invite counselors into conversations and make emotional wellbeing part of discipleship.

Measure and celebrate progress. Track outcomes (blood-pressure checks, screenings, vaccination rates) and share success stories from the pulpit.

The role of all faith institutions in health is not optional; it is essential. Failing to embrace this responsibility leaves congregants exposed to preventable illness, misinformation, and loss. But when religious leaders step forward with compassion, cultural understanding, and evidence-based truth, they become conduits of healing that reach far beyond the sanctuary walls.

The choice before us is clear. We can remain comfortable in silence and perpetuate stigma, or we can lead with clarity, courage, and love. If we choose the latter, our faith communities will not only save souls, they will save lives.

Dr. Frederick Echols, MD, is available as a subject matter expert on public health for press interviews and speaking engagements.

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About Dr. Fredrick Echols, MD

Dr. Fredrick L. Echols, MD is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Population Health and Social Justice Consulting, LLC, an Obama Foundation Global Leader, sought-after public speaker, black men’s health advocate, and accomplished physician with over 15 years of experience in public health. He has worked extensively with public and private sectors to address complex health issues through evidence-informed approaches. Dr. Echols is a graduate of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Population Health Training in Place program and the ASTHO-Morehouse School of Medicine’s Diverse Executives Leading in Public Health program.

Passionate about health and justice, Dr . Echols’ notable roles include serving as Chief Executive Officer for Cure Violence Global, Health Commissioner for the City of St. Louis, and Director of Communicable Disease and Emergency Preparedness for the St. Louis County Department of Public Health. In these roles, he oversaw public health regulations, led COVID-19 response efforts, managed daily operations, and developed strategic partnerships. Dr. Echols also served as Chief of Communicable Diseases for the Illinois Department of Public Health and as a physician in the U.S. Navy. He continues to contribute to public health research and guides health organizations globally.