A study from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, published in 2016, analysed data from the Nurses’ Health Study involving 74,534 women over 16 years. The research found that women who attended religious services more than once per week had a 33% lower risk of dying during the study period compared to those who never attended. The study also noted that regular attendees had lower rates of smoking and depression and were more likely to have strong social support.
- Religious Attendance and Health: A Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health study examined the health impacts of religious attendance among 74,534 women over 16 years using data from the Nurses’ Health Study.
- Reduced Mortality Risk: Women attending religious services more than once per week had a 33% lower mortality risk compared to non-attendees. Weekly attendees had a 26% reduction, and those attending less than weekly had a 13% reduction.
- Lower Rates of Smoking and Depression: Regular attendees were also found to have lower smoking rates, less depression, and stronger social support networks.
- Spirituality Beyond Attendance: Researchers noted that religious service attendance is one aspect of spirituality and suggested future studies explore other practices, like meditation, to further understand health connections.
- Publication: Findings were published on May 16, 2016, in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Tags: -ReligiousServicesLongevityWomensHealthEpidemiologyPublicHealthSocialSupportMentalHealthLifestyleFactorsHarvardTHChanNursesHealthStudy
Themes: Health and Spirituality, Religious Attendance, Social Support, Mental Health and Wellbeing, Reduced Mortality Risk, Healthy Habits, Faith and Action, Community and Connection, Intentional Living, Resilience and Mental Toughness