Faith, Trust and Health: Engaging Faith Communities in Tackling Ethnic Health Inequalities

New research shows how working with faith communities can help make public health more inclusive, trusted and effective.

A new scoping review, published by a collaboration between NIHR ARC Northwest London, Imperial College London, University College London, and the UK Health Security Agency in BMJ Public Health, shines a light on the powerful role that faith communities can play in tackling ethnic health inequalities in the UK. 

The review brings together evidence from 16 UK-based studies over the last decade and explores how faith communities have been involved in the design and delivery of public health interventions. It builds on FaithAction's prior literature review and shows that faith communities are more than just venues for activity. They are communities of trust, connection and cultural understanding, making them uniquely placed to support health initiatives that aim to reach people who are often underserved by traditional services.

Across the studies, faith communities were involved in various ways. Some worked in partnership with health services and researchers to shape interventions. Others supported delivery through volunteers or peer roles drawn from within the community. Places of worship were also used as accessible and familiar spaces for health education and engagement. Together, these approaches helped bring health messages into everyday community life.

Putting Communities at the Heart of Health Research

What stands out is how strongly this work reflects an inclusive approach to research and public health. Many of the studies described the value of involving people rooted in their own communities who understand local cultures, languages, and social norms. This helped ensure that interventions were more relevant, respectful and responsive to people’s lived experiences. Rather than being passive recipients of health messages, community members were active contributors, shaping how support was designed and delivered. This kind of shared ownership is essential if public health is to reach those who have historically been excluded or overlooked.

The review also highlights benefits that go beyond traditional health outcomes. Several studies reported psychosocial impacts such as increased trust, strengthened social connections and a greater sense of support within communities. These are important foundations for longer-term improvements in health and wellbeing, particularly in communities that may experience barriers to accessing care.

Why Trust Takes Time and Commitment

At the same time, the authors are clear about the challenges. Some studies pointed to limited resources, unclear roles, power imbalances and mistrust between institutions and communities. Engagement was less effective when it felt tokenistic or short-term. Building strong relationships takes time, transparency and a genuine commitment to partnership.

The review identifies key factors that support successful engagement. These include existing trust within faith networks, strong community leadership, cultural alignment between health messages and community values, and clarity around responsibilities. When these are in place, faith communities can act as bridges between health systems and populations that are often underrepresented in research and services. The review further highlights practical actions that can be taken to strengthen faith community engagement in public health interventions.

For NIHR ARC Northwest London, this evidence reinforces something we see repeatedly in our work. Reducing health inequalities is not only about better data or new interventions. It is about relationships. It is about working with communities as equal partners, recognising their knowledge, and valuing the social structures that already support people’s lives.

Faith communities are not just settings where health projects happen. They are active collaborators who can help shape more inclusive, trusted and effective approaches to public health. This review provides a strong reminder that when research listens to communities and builds on their strengths, it has the potential to reach further and make a deeper difference.