Health

Faith Can Save Your life

by Erik Larson | November 24, 2008 at 04:16 pm

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New study reported by the New York Times finds that "women who reported attending the services of Christian, Jewish and other faiths at least once a week" were 20% "likely to die than those who did not". I assume they mean they were less likely to die during the 7 year study.

The article doesn't say if the study found a difference in death rates between religions. The Times article notes that "earlier studies" found that people in strong social networks (like a church) tend to be healthier. Also, that "some religious people may also be more likely to refrain from tobacco or alcohol."

Many people believe that going to religious services may be good for the afterlife. But researchers have found that it may not be so bad in the here and now.

A new study, which followed the health of more than 90,000 women over an average of more than seven years each, found that those who attended services were one-fifth less likely to die than those who did not.