Wake Forest University School of Divinity to Host International Symposium on Religion and Health

Wake Forest University School of Divinity will host over 25 scholars and health leaders at an international symposium on religion and health. The “Baobab Gathering,” named after the iconic African tree that sustains life, is scheduled for   October 13 – 17 and will include a public forum on Monday, October. 16, at 5:00 p.m. in the Porter Byrum Welcome Center at Wake Forest University. The event is organized in collaboration with Love Out Loud, a local faith-based nonprofit committed to partnering with organizations working together for the flourishing of Winston-Salem. 

“We are excited to host this international symposium on religion and health at Wake Forest University,” said Corey D. B. Walker, Dean and Wake Forest Professor of the Humanities. “This gathering will facilitate global exchanges of ideas that will advance our understanding of the complex relationship between religion and health. The ‘Handbook on Religion and Health: Diagnosis, Prognosis’ will be a significant contribution for scholars in medicine, religion, and public health in fostering meaningful collaborations designed to improve the health of the public.”

The forthcoming publication, “Handbook on Religion and Health: Diagnosis, Prognosis,” represents an international collaboration by scholars, healthcare professionals, and health advocates from the United States, Africa, and Europe. The handbook will address the intricate intersections of religion and health on a global scale. Chapters will examine a wide array of issues, ranging from food security and health justice to bioethics, social determinants of health, and the leading causes of life.

Wake Forest University School of Divinity Professor of Faith and Health of the Public, Gary Gunderson is a leading expert in the areas of faith and health.”The handbook is an eagerly anticipated publication that promises to advance our understanding of the complex relationship between religion, spirituality, and health,” said Gunderson. “It delves into the various ways in which religious beliefs, practices, and communities impact individual and collective health outcomes.” 

The Baobab Gathering will serve as a platform for the authors of the handbook to engage in meaningful dialogue centered around the publication’s key themes and findings. Participants will have the opportunity to engage in collaborative discussions, share their own research, and gain fresh perspectives on the profound interplay between religion and health. The public forum will provide a sneak peek into the book and invite attendees to reflect on their own spiritual and health journeys.