If You Want to Live a Long and Healthy Life, Get Married?

For Men, Divorced Men Have the Highest Early Mortality Risk... Among Women, Singles Have the Highest Risk

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[Asia Economy Senior Reporter Jinsoo Lee] A study has found that people who enjoy a happy married life live longer and healthier.

According to a recent survey by the UK's Office for National Statistics (ONS), the mortality rate of those living alone was recorded to be twice that of those living with a spouse.

ONS researchers examined cases of 5 million adults aged 20 and over who died in England and Wales between 2010 and 2019.

As a result, among men, the group with the highest probability of premature death was found to be divorced individuals. There were 2,319 premature deaths per 100,000 divorced men. Next were singles with 2,077, widowed men with 1,640, and men with spouses at 1,073.

Looking only at women, single women had the highest premature death rate at 1,307 per 100,000. This was followed by widowed women (1,230) and divorced women (1,114). Women with spouses had only 699.

ONS's recent findings align with previous research showing that married people live healthier, longer, and happier lives.

Experts suggest that this may be because spouses carefully care for their loved ones, encouraging medical checkups and treatment when symptoms or illnesses appear.

Being happy itself greatly benefits health. Happiness reduces stress and leads to a healthy lifestyle. Moreover, those who prioritize family are less likely to engage in harmful behaviors.

On the other hand, singles, divorced individuals, and widowed people are more likely to suffer from loneliness and depression.

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The researchers also divided the subjects into two groups: ages 20?64 and 65 and older, and observed similar trends.

In the 20?64 age group, the mortality rate of single men was found to be three times that of men with spouses. It was 510 versus 166 per 100,000. Widowed men had 440, and divorced men had 432.

Among women in the same age group, the mortality rate of singles was about twice that of women with spouses, at 298 versus 127 per 100,000. Widowed women had 305, and divorced women had 240.

In the 65 and older group, those with spouses had the lowest mortality rates. The highest mortality rate was among divorced men (8,208), which is three times that of men with spouses (2,819). This was followed by singles and widowed men, with 6,818 and 5,269 respectively.

Among women in the same age group, mortality rates were highest for singles, widows, and divorced women, recording 4,361, 4,028, and 3,758 respectively.

Sara Cole, head of mortality analysis at ONS, said about the findings, "This is the first case analyzing the correlation between marital status and mortality rates," adding, "Whether in heterosexual or same-sex marriages, people with partners had lower mortality rates than singles, divorced, or widowed individuals."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.