The survey was done in subjects selected by Duke University researchers as part of a project supported by the National Institute of Aging. There were more black people (54%) in the survey population than in the community, as the project was focused initially on ethnic differences in aging.

Almost 4000 subjects were interviewed in their homes and gave information on their religious attendance. Half of them came from rural and half from urban communities. They were contacted for follow-up every year, either by phone or in person. The study lasted just over six years. Religious attendance was quite high - 53% of the participants went to church weekly or more often. Over 95% of them were Judeo-Christian (59% Baptist, 17% Methodist, 4% Presbyterian, 4% Pentecostal, and 11% other Protestant).

The survey collected information on when any of the participants died, and possible influencing factors such as race, marital status, number of years of education, ability to cope independently at home, general health, depression, smoking and drinking, and any serious family events (e.g. death of a close relative or spouse).

Analysis showed that people who went to church once or more a week were more likely to be women, better educated and black. They were also more likely to be married, have a large social network and more friends. On the other hand, they were less likely to have chronic health problems, disabilities, depression, or to smoke and drink.

Over the 6-year follow-up period frequent attendees were 46% less likely to die than infrequent attendees. Even taking into account all the possible confusing factors that might affect the results (e.g. poor health or disability preventing attendance at church), there was still a 28% improved survival in frequent attendees.

This study, like similar ones, raises more questions than it answers. Obviously people with a strong faith will have good reasons, based on their devotion, to accept that they are more likely to live longer than " sinners". However, scientists like to try to find the way in which faith can have such an effect.

The authors of the study report suggest several ways that regular, frequent religious attendance may improve one's general health and the outcome of a disease or serious health problem. For instance, frequent attendees may, through their social network, be made aware earlier about possible illnesses and preventive steps. Moreover, churchgoers probably follow their doctor's advice more carefully. Certainly, they have less depression and anxiety (which may be related to favorable changes in the immune system), and lead healthier lifestyles (e.g. less smoking, alcohol). However, in analyses that took these factors into account, the effect of religious attendance persisted to a significant degree - a 28% lesser chance of dying in the next 6 years.

One can only wonder what the results would have been if the study had been done in other communities in the world. Would similar studies in populations with other major religious beliefs (Judaism, Buddhism, Islamism, Hinduism) produce similar results? Within Christianity, would there be differences in results between Catholics and Protestants? Clearly, there is still a lot to be learned about the beneficial influences of faith on health.

Source

• Does religious attendance prolong survival? HG. Koenig, JC. Hays, DB. Larson, Journals of Gerontology (Medical), 1999, vol. 54, pp. M370--M376

[1] Does religious attendance prolong survival? HG. Koenig, JC. Hays, DB. Larson, et al., Journals of Gerontology (Medical), 1999, vol. 54, pp. M370--M376