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Cited by 226Religion, Spirituality, and PsychologyReligion and Society InteractionsHealth disparities and outcomes

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·1996·American Journal of Public Health
DOI 10.2105/ajph.86.3.341PMC PMC1380514
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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 41347 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.

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Authors
Kark, J. D., Shemi, G., Friedlander, Y., Martin, O., Manor, O., & Blondheim, S. H.
Affiliations
Hadassah Medical Center (IL)
ORCID
Venue
American Journal of Public Health
Publisher
American Public Health Association
Published
1996-03
Volume
86
Issue
3
Pages
341-346
ISSN
  • 0090-0036 (ISSN-L)
  • 1541-0048
DOI
10.2105/ajph.86.3.341
PMC
PMC1380514
OpenAlex
W2125883224
Cited by
226
References
33
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 43 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 7 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 4 · 2015: 5 · 2014: 3 · 2013: 4 · 2012: 9
FWCI
11.68
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • American Journal of Public Health (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DigitalGeorgetown (Georgetown University Library) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Health › Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Religion and Society Interactions
  • Social Sciences › Health › Health disparities and outcomes
Keywords
religious practice, Jewish religious practice, mortality, kibbutz, causes of death, birth cohort, gender differences in mortality, social cohesion
MeSH terms
Adult, Aged, Cause of Death, Female, Humans, Israel, Jews, Judaism, Male, Middle Aged, Mortality, Prospective Studies, Risk Factors, Socioeconomic Factors, Confounding Factors, Epidemiologic, Proportional Hazards Models, Survival Analysis, Group Homes

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