Implications for public health of the religiosity-longevity relation

Abstract

ImplIcatIons for publIc health of the relIgIosIty-longevIty relatIon rev assoC med bras 2017; 63(10):837-841 837 POINT OF VIEWImplications for public health of the religiosity-longevity relation A growing body of scientific studies has demonstrated a consistently positive association between religious-spiritual (R/S) involvement and beneficial effects on physical health, culminating with increased longevity. This protective effect on the mortality risk is not only statistically significant but also clinically relevant. The mechanisms involved in this association include psycho-neuro-endocrineimmune pathways, greater adherence to healthy behaviors and diverse social factors. Public health strategies could better explore this association. This can be done on an individual (health professionals adopting simple measures) or institutional scale (health institutions joining religious organizations). Some evidence suggests that the benefits of R/S to health and longevity would be more present in populations from more religious regions. In this sense, the Americas (Latin and North) are privileged places for the exploration of this association, compared to regions where there is certain indifference about R/S practices. Exploring this interface can improve the supply and usage of health care, especially for marginalized populations. To achieve this, health professionals, religious leaders and policy makers need to work together.

Cardiac autonomic modulation related to prayer may contribute to the reduced cardiovascular mortality associated with religiosity/spirituality

“…Multiple researchers proposed that direct physiological pathways might also be involved [14,[17][18][19]. Religiosity/spirituality might lead to a reduction in heart rate or blood pressure [17,32,33].…”

“…During the past few decades, several studies suggested a positive association between religiosity/spirituality and benefits associated with the mental and physical health [14][15][16][17][18]. Koenig et al have defined spirituality as "the personal quest for understanding answers to ultimate questions about life, about meaning and about relationship to the sacred or transcendent, which may (or may not) lead to or arise from the development of religious rituals and the formation of community" [3].…”

“…Although religiosity and spirituality are distinct constructs, the overlap between them is consistent and remarkable. Thus, the term religiosity/spirituality (R/S) has been widely used in the literature [16,18].…”

“…Another potential interpretation is that R/S contributes to reduced mortality by increasing social support or by buffering psychological distress [19,31]. Nevertheless, the persistence of associations in meta-analyses of studies that controlled for social support or negative affect was that the protective effect of R/S on mortality is at least partly independent of social support and negative affect [16,18]. Prayer is considered a widely used spiritual and religious practice and could be a possible mediator of the beneficial effects of religiosity/spirituality in the cardiovascular system.…”

The impact of religious beliefs on the health of the residents—Evidence from China

“…Furthermore, a large number of theoretical and empirical studies have shown that religion can improve health and longevity . For example, a higher frequency in the participation of religious activities will lead to lower blood pressure and reduced smoking behavior .…”