Posted on 08/20/2002 1:13:54 AM PDT by JediGirl
The health benefits of being married are so large that single men are at greater risk of dying than smokers, says a study.
The study looked at comparative risks over a seven year period - but experts warned that the lifetime risks of smoking were much higher.
Scientists have frequently found that married men and women tend to be in better health than their single counterparts.
This is partly because of the "social support" of having a wife or husband - and perhaps because both single men and women have a worse lifestyle - and no-one to look out for their wellbeing.
However, the latest study, by researchers at the University of Warwick, looked at thousands of records from the British Household Panel Survey and the British Retirement Survey.
It found that, even when the effects of smoking, drinking and other poor lifestyles were taken into account, married men had a much lower risk of death.
Over a seven year period, the married male had a 9% lower risk of dying compared with an unmarried one.
When smoking and drinking in this group was taken into account, the benefit was reduced to 6.1%.
Not money
The effect was less for women - reducing the risk of mortality by 2.9%.
According to the Warwick calculations, a male smoker had a 5.8% greater risk of dying, and a female smoker 5.1% extra risk.
Professor Andrew Oswald, who led the research, suggested that male smokers should get wed as soon as possible to counteract the risk.
He said: "Forget cash. It is as clear as day from the data that marriage, rather than money, is what keeps people alive.
"It makes perfect sense to ask how a ring of gold can possibly do this.
"But the honest answer is, that we don't know."
However, while over a seven year period, the risks of smoking compared to single life might be roughly comparable, the lifetime risk to smokers is much higher.
A long-term smoker is thought to have a one in two chance of dying prematurely.
Whether the lifetime risk of being single even begins to approach this figure is highly dubious.
Not tie me down literally. Blimey, some people...
Regards, Ivan
We're too busy watching the footie. Or in the case of this board, ESPN. ;)
Regards, Ivan
I know. I tried it once, and fortunately it ended very quickly. Even the nun who was present said that the end of that relationship was right and "God's will".
Regards, Ivan
I liked it so much I tried it twice. I'm happy to report it's much better the second time around.
I'll reply in all the languages I know:
No, thank you
Nein, danke
Nee, dank u
Nem, koszonom szepen
Nyet, spasibo
Nei, takk
Regards, Ivan
"grania"
I'm not making myself clear - SHE DOESN'T KNOW ME. It's safe to tell you lot because you don't know who she is anyway. ;)
Regards, Ivan
Is it because liberty in the abstract may be classed amongst the blessings of mankind, that I am seriously to felicitate a madman, who has escaped from the protecting restraint and wholesome darkness of his cell, on his restoration to the enjoyment of light and liberty?
Indeed, is it because marriage in the abstract may be classed among the blessings of mankind, that I am seriously to felicitate a groom, who has escaped from his bachelor pad and the wholesomeness of his lagers in the fridge, on his attachment to someone who'll give him difficulties about the position of the toilet seat? ;)
Regards, Ivan
Oh to the 12th of never, I'd say. ;)
Regards, Ivan
Hardcore, rock-solid, concrete jetty fact of life, this is.
"What part of "she barely knows me" escaped your notice?"
Don't worry, she will get to know you and your bank account very well......... : )
The difference between an optimist and a pessimist is that the pessimist is better informed. ;)
Regards, Ivan
Well uh, I'm broke. ;)
Regards, Ivan
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