Abstract
Objective: The objective of this study was to identify mechanisms by which Islamic beliefs,
values, and Muslim identity might contribute to health inequities among Muslim populations.
Methods: A systematic literature review of empirical studies in Medline from 1980 to 2009
was conducted. The search strategy used three terms covering health-care disparities,
ethnicity, and location to uncover relevant papers. Results A total of 171 articles were relevant based on titles and abstracts. Upon subsequent
full-text review, most studies did not include religious identity or religiosity as
explanatory variables for observed health disparities. Of 29 studies mentioning Islam
within the text, 19 implicated Muslim identity or practices as potential explanations
for health differences between Muslim and non-Muslim groups. These 19 studies generated
six mechanisms that related the Islamic tradition, Muslim practices, and health inequities:
(1) Interpretations of health and/or lack of health based on Islamic theology; (2)
Ethical and/or cultural challenges within the clinical realm stemming from Islamic
values or practices; (3) Perceived discrimination due to, or a lack of cultural accommodation
of, religious values or practices in the clinical realm; (4) Health practices rooted
within the Islamic tradition; (5) Patterns of health-care seeking based on Islamic
values; and (6) Adverse health exposures due to having a Muslim identity. Conclusion: While there is scant empirical research on Muslim health-care disparities, a preliminary
conceptual model relating Islam to health inequities can be built from the extant
literature. This model can serve to organize research on Muslim health and distinguish
different ways in which a Muslim identity might contribute to the patterning of health
disparities.
Keywords
Conceptual model - health-care disparities - health-care inequality - minority health
- religiosity
