Research Findings From the American Muslim Women's Health Project (MWHP)

Abstract

Understanding the health of American Muslims remains a neglected topic in public health research with even fewer empirical studies conducted with American Muslim women. To address persistent knowledge gaps related to the health behaviors and health outcomes of this population, in 2015, the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) School of Public Health (SOPH) funded the Muslim Women's Health Project (MWHP) through its Back of the Envelope (BOTE) mechanism. The purpose of the MWHP was to collect exploratory, self-reported data on health indicators, beliefs, behaviors, and experiences from American Muslim women through online social networks. In this chapter, the authors summarize published findings from the MWHP that may serve as case studies to inform further discussions among health practitioners and public health researchers who seek to improve population health through healthcare delivery and equity research.

Measuring physicians’ religious competence in clinical health communication context: female Muslim immigrant patients’ expectations

“…While limited research exists on the health-care needs of Muslim immigrants, health-care issues faced by Muslim women living in western countries are rather unknown. The scant extant literature underscores the importance of considering the culture of Muslim immigrant women and how it impacts their health-care issues (Palomares et al , 2020; Simpson and Carter, 2008), health-care implications for providers’ lack of knowledge about Islamic culture (Tsianakas and Liamputtong, 2002) and the significance of culturally sensitive health care for Muslim immigrant women (Blankinship, 2018; Roberts, 2003). Ganle (2015) recommended cultural competence training for health-care providers to meet Muslim women’s care needs and provide them with better experiences.…”