The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health published a press release on May 6, 2020, titled “Regularly attending religious services associated with lower risk of deaths of despair.” The article discusses a study indicating that individuals who attend religious services at least once a week have a significantly lower risk of deaths related to suicide, drug overdose, and alcohol poisoning.
- Lower Risk of Death from Despair: Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health research found that attending religious services at least once a week significantly reduced the risk of “deaths of despair” (suicide, drug overdose, and alcohol poisoning). This effect was stronger in women (68% lower risk) than in men (33% lower risk).
- Study Population: The analysis included 66,492 women from the Nurses’ Health Study II and 43,141 men from the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study.
- Religion as a Protective Factor: The study suggests religious participation may provide a buffer against despair by fostering resilience, hope, and social connectedness, potentially acting as a social determinant of health.
- Context of the Findings: These findings gain relevance during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the importance of community support as healthcare professionals and others face severe challenges.
- Publication and Support: Published in JAMA Psychiatry on May 6, 2020, the study received funding from the Templeton Foundation and National Institutes of Health.
Tags:HarvardTHChanSchoolReligiousServicesDeathsOfDespairMentalHealthPublicHealth SuicidePrevention SubstanceAbuse AlcoholPoisoning Epidemiology HealthResearch
Themes: Religious Attendance, Resilience and Mental Toughness, Social Determinants of Health, Mental Health and Wellbeing, Community and Connection, Hope and Resilience, Faith and Action, Health Protective Factors, COVID-19 Pandemic, Health and Spirituality