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Does religious observance promote health? Mortality in secular vs religious Kibbutzim in Israel

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  • Kark, J.D.
  • Shemi, G.
  • Friedlander, Y.
  • Martin, O.
  • Manor, O.
  • Blondheim, S.H.

Abstract

Objectives. This study assessed the association of Jewish religious observance with mortality by comparing religious and secular kibbutzim. These collectives are highly similar in social structure and economic function and are cohesive and supportive communities. Methods. In a 16-year (1970 through 1985) historical prospective study of mortality in 11 religious and 11 matched secular kibbutzim in Israel, 268 deaths occurred among 3900 men and women 35 years of age and older during 41 347 person-years of observation. Results. Mortality was considerably higher in secular kibbutzim. Cox proportional hazards analysis was used to adjust for age and the matched design: rate ratios were 1.67 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.17, 2.39) for men, 2.67 (95% CI = 1.55, 4.60) for women, and 1.93 (95% CI = 1.44, 2.59) overall. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis of birth cohorts confirmed the association. The lower mortality in religious kibbutzim was consistent for all major causes of death. Conclusions. Belonging to a religious collective was associated with a strong protective effect not attributable to confounding by sociodemographic factors. Elucidation of mechanisms mediating this effect may provide etiologic insights and leads for intervention.

Suggested Citation

  • Kark, J.D. & Shemi, G. & Friedlander, Y. & Martin, O. & Manor, O. & Blondheim, S.H., 1996. "Does religious observance promote health? Mortality in secular vs religious Kibbutzim in Israel," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 86(3), pages 341-346.
    • Handle: RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:1996:86:3:341-346_9
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    Cited by:

    1. Janice Bell Meisenhelder & Emily N. Chandler, 2000. "Faith, Prayer, and Health Outcomes in Elderly Native Americans," Clinical Nursing Research, , vol. 9(2), pages 191-203, May.
    2. Jon Anson, 2010. "Beyond Material Explanations: Family Solidarity and Mortality, a Small Area‐level Analysis," Population and Development Review, The Population Council, Inc., vol. 36(1), pages 27-45, March.
    3. Avni, Shlomit & Filc, Dani & Davidovitch, Nadav, 2015. "The Israeli Medical Association's discourse on health inequity," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 144(C), pages 119-126.
    4. Vivian Welch & Erin Ueffing & Peter Tugwell, 2009. "Knowledge translation: An opportunity to reduce global health inequalities," Journal of International Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 21(8), pages 1066-1082.
    5. Yeager, D.M. & Glei, Dana A. & Au, Melanie & Lin, Hui-Sheng & Sloan, Richard P. & Weinstein, Maxine, 2006. "Religious involvement and health outcomes among older persons in Taiwan," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 63(8), pages 2228-2241, October.
    6. Robert Hummer & Richard Rogers & Charles Nam & Christopher Ellison, 1999. "Religious involvement and U.S. adult mortality," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 36(2), pages 273-285, May.
    7. Charles L. Richman, 2004. "Kibbutzim in Constant Transition," Psychology and Developing Societies, , vol. 16(2), pages 125-138, September.

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