Theology of Health: A Faith-Based Approach to the Health of Salvadorans

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to examine how health is viewed from a faith-based perspective; this new field of study is called the theology of health and emerged in the late 20th century, and its contributions have been highly significant in rethinking pastoral care, where the focus is not limited to the suffering patient and palliative care, but rather to fostering a comprehensive awareness within society across all its public, private, and ecclesial spheres, in order to care for health in every sense—physical and psychological—from the youngest children to the elderly in their final moments of life. Theology of health proposes a series of elements that must be embraced without selfishness or greed, but rather through solidarity, calling on all those involved to recognize that health should not be viewed as a business, but rather as a gift of salvation bestowed by God the Creator upon humanity, and that everyone should work toward this common good in whatever way possible to enjoy a long and better quality of life.