Religion facilitates cooperation in health care sharing ministries
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Level 4 by design analogy (cross-sectional mixed-methods survey and interview study).
OpenAlex W4409903411 · doi:10.1080/2153599x.2025.2489474
What was done
Researchers evaluated the role of religion in cooperative risk-pooling organizations by conducting qualitative interviews and a quantitative survey comparing members of health care sharing ministries in the United States to nonmembers. Measures included religiosity, sense of community, perceived shared fate and interdependence, perceived importance of shared faith for ministry success, and satisfaction with health care coverage.
What was found
No quantitative figures, sample sizes, or effect estimates were reported in the abstract. The authors noted that compared to nonmembers, ministry members exhibited higher levels of religiosity, reported a greater sense of community and shared fate/interdependence with others sharing their coverage model, reported greater satisfaction with their health care coverage, and identified shared faith as crucial to the success of their ministries.
Why it matters
This study provides empirical evidence on how religious alignment can support informal, non-traditional health care risk-pooling arrangements through enhanced perceived interdependence and group cohesion.
Limits
The abstract provides no sample sizes, response rates, statistical metrics, or demographic details. The cross-sectional self-report design cannot establish causal relationships, is susceptible to selection bias and self-report bias, and does not assess clinical outcomes or objective financial viability.
Cited by
- supports Health sharing arrangements have existed for over 40 years and the majority are religious-based organizations requiring a statement of faith.