23 July 2026 | London, UK [Sharon Platt-McDonald with tedNEWS]
Seventh-day Adventist representatives have contributed to discussions on the role of faith communities in health care in the United Kingdom, including how churches and other faith groups can support community wellbeing and preventive care.
The discussion formed part of “The Role of Faith in Health”, an event held at the Houses of Parliament in London, UK, on 13 July 2026, bringing together politicians, faith leaders, health professionals, NHS service providers, and representatives of voluntary and statutory organisations.
Among those taking part were Enoch Kanagaraj, founder and chief executive officer of One Vision, and Sharon Platt-McDonald, British Union Conference (BUC) Health Ministries director.
Both Kanagaraj, a member of Stanborough Park Seventh-day Adventist Church, and Platt-McDonald serve on the Faith and Health Networking Board and are contributing to the implementation of the Government’s Neighbourhood Health Framework.
The framework seeks to bring health care closer to communities through greater accessibility, integration and preventive care. Its focus on working with local communities has also given faith organisations more opportunities to show how they can support people’s health and wellbeing.
Adventist approach to health
During the parliamentary event, Platt-McDonald was invited to contribute a Christian perspective as a member of the panel.
She spoke about the relationship between faith and health, including the role prayer can play in a Christian’s response to illness and treatment. She also highlighted how religious belief can influence the way people care for themselves, their families and their communities, as well as the lifestyle choices they make.
Platt-McDonald outlined the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s longstanding emphasis on whole-person well-being and explained the role of health ministries in local churches, which provide health and well-being initiatives within their communities. Participants expressed interest in the Church’s approach to health and well-being, and following the event, Platt-McDonald reported that several participants approached her to learn more about the Adventist Church and its health programmes.
She subsequently received invitations from other Christian denominations to visit their churches to support health initiatives, as well as requests from representatives of other faith communities to visit mosques and temples. The invitations included opportunities for collaboration and health training across faith groups.
Faith and public health
The event comes amid a growing recognition of the contribution that faith organisations can make to public health, particularly through their established relationships with local communities.
For the Seventh-day Adventist Church, participation in such discussions also provides an opportunity to share its approach to health and wellbeing with policymakers, health professionals and representatives of other faith communities.
“I am grateful for opportunities like these where I can share my faith with diverse groups, and also the wonderful health message that has given us the acclaimed ‘Adventist Advantage’ in experiencing better health outcomes and enhanced longevity,” Platt-McDonald said.
[Photos: Featured image by StudioVK / Elements. Other photos courtesy of Sharon Platt-McDonald, AI-enhanced, and the British Union Conference]
