Attending religious services lowers risk of death by 28 percent

Older Americans' chances of living longer are stretched by 28 percent when they attend religious meetings each week - even after considering key health and social factors which also could lengthen lives - found a new study published in this month's Journal of Gerontology.

"The risk of dying for frequent attenders was 46 percent lower than for those attending less often," commented researcher Dr. Harold G. Koenig. After adjusting for other health and social factors that could help foster longer lives, frequent attenders were still 28 percent less likely to have died.

The study also found that religious attenders were physically healthier, had more social support and lived healthier lifestyles than less frequent attenders.

The study, supported by the National Institute on Aging, surveyed a random sample of nearly 4,000 seniors aged 64 and older to see if attending religious services had any bearing on living longer. It confirmed findings of a 28-year-long study on the west coast of over 5,200 people that found the risk of earlier death sank 23 percent among persons who often attended religious services.

The seniors were interviewed every year for up to six years to track death rates and links with health, social and religious factors. Health practices such as cigarette smoking and alcohol use - as well as age, gender, education and chronic health conditions - also were taken into account.

Death rates among this sample were relatively high during the six years - 30 percent - which provided "substantial power for examining predictors of survival," the researchers noted. Attending religious services stood out as a significant factor that predicted longer lives.

The link was strongest for women, who, after controlling for other factors, had a 35 percent lower risk of death, compared to a 17 percent lower risk for men. When accounting for this difference, the researchers cited other studies which have found women are more likely than men to pray, to rate religion as important in their lives and to depend on religion to cope, which perhaps conveys greater health benefits than merely attending religious services.

Why might attending religious services help add years to one's life? "Religious attendance is related to lower rates of depression, anxiety, and stress. A strong religious faith reinforced by active religious participation may help persons to cope with life stressors, particularly physical health problems later in life. Lower rates of depression, like higher social support, may translate into stronger immune systems and better defenses against disease," the researchers commented.

"Past studies have linked religious attendance with lower blood pressure, fewer strokes, and better compliance with taking medicines and following doctors orders, which also can contribute to longer lives," added Dr. David B. Larson, president of the National Institute for Healthcare Research and co-author of the study.

Subject Experts:
David B. Larson, M.D., M.S.P.H., president, National Institute for Healthcare Research;
Harold G. Koenig, M.D., M.H.Sc., geriatric psychiatrist and director of the Center for Aging at Duke University