z2006
06.07.08, 11:31
www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/113991.php
"Along with co-author John Bartkowski from the University of Texas at San
Antonio and other researchers from the University of West Georgia and the
University of Alabama at Birmingham, Blanchard found that people live longer
in areas with a large number of Catholic and Mainline Protestant churches. He
offers two key reasons for these findings.
"First, these types of churches have what's known as a 'worldly perspective.'
Instead of solely focusing on the afterlife, they place a significant emphasis
on the current needs of their communities," he said. These religions commonly
organize outreach efforts for the needy and homeless, invest in the health
infrastructures of their town and participate in other forms of public charity.
"Secondly, these congregations tend to create bridging ties in communities
that lead to greater social cohesion among citizens," said Blanchard. This
enhanced sense of connection between people provides collective encouragement
for healthy behavior."
