News
Religious People Live Longer
A new research has found that religious people live on average four years longer than their agnostic and atheist peers.
The difference could be down to a mix of social support, stress-relieving practices and abstaining from unhealthy habits, the authors suggest. Religious participation often goes hand-in-hand with increased participation in activities and social groups, which might help tackle loneliness and sedentary lifestyles that could also shorten life expectancy.
For the study, a team of Ohio University academics analysed more than 1,500 obituaries from across the US to piece together how the defining features of our lives affect our longevity.
These records include religious affiliations and marriage details as well as information on activities, hobbies and habits, which can help or hinder our health, not otherwise captured in census data.
According to the authors, the study provides persuasive evidence that there is a relationship between religious participation and how long a person lives.
The difference could be down to a mix of social support, stress-relieving practices and abstaining from unhealthy habits, the authors suggest. Religious participation often goes hand-in-hand with increased participation in activities and social groups, which might help tackle loneliness and sedentary lifestyles that could also shorten life expectancy.
For the study, a team of Ohio University academics analysed more than 1,500 obituaries from across the US to piece together how the defining features of our lives affect our longevity.
These records include religious affiliations and marriage details as well as information on activities, hobbies and habits, which can help or hinder our health, not otherwise captured in census data.
According to the authors, the study provides persuasive evidence that there is a relationship between religious participation and how long a person lives.