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Summary
Religiously active Mormon males exhibit significantly lower mortality rates compared to U.S. white males. This health advantage, particularly for cancer, is linked to their adherence to specific lifestyle choices.
Area of Science:
- Demography
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Religious adherence and lifestyle choices can influence health outcomes.
- Previous studies suggest potential health benefits associated with specific religious groups.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mortality rates and life expectancy of religiously active Mormon males.
- To compare the health outcomes of active Mormons with the general U.S. white male population.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of Church records for 15,500 California Mormons (1968-1975) and 55,000 Utah Mormons (1970, 1975).
- Calculation of age-adjusted death rates and standardized mortality ratios.
- Comparison with U.S. white males.
Main Results:
- Active Mormon males aged 35+ had a 50% lower death rate than U.S. white males.
- Life expectancy for active Mormon men at age 35 was over 7 years greater.
- Standardized mortality ratio for all cancers was 50%, with lower rates for smoking-related cancers.
Conclusions:
- Active Mormons demonstrate significantly lower mortality and higher life expectancy.
- Lifestyle factors, including abstinence from tobacco and alcohol, likely contribute to these health benefits.
- Active Mormons represent a population with exceptionally low mortality rates.