What is the mortality rate ( in the U.S.) of Christian Scientists
versus the general population? |
Request for Question Clarification by
juggler-ga
on
01 Apr 2004 19:01 PST
I'm not sure that the exact statistic that you seek has ever been calculated.
There have been some studies that compared the mortality rates of
graduates of Christian Scientist colleges (generally members of the
Christian Science faith) with graduates of other colleges. Would you
be interested in information about those studies?
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Clarification of Question by
monroe22-ga
on
01 Apr 2004 19:39 PST
Any information would be useful, but as I stated, I am more interested
in general mortality rates of Christian Scientists versus the general
population. Let me add that I do not profess that belief, but that I
have a nagging suspicion that the billions we spend on medicine are
wasted. Is it possible that prayer or wishful thinking are just as
efficacious as conventional medicine as far as saving lives? I concede
that conventional medicine relieves pain. Sure,I would prefer to live
longer if doctors can help, but statistically, does it matter? I have
an 80 year old relative in perfect health who is Christian Scientist.
I am completely aware that a single instance means nothing.
No doubt the Christian Science Monitor would tell us that CS is the answer.
Yes, the info from CS colleges would be interesting, but it must be biased.
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Request for Question Clarification by
juggler-ga
on
01 Apr 2004 19:44 PST
Well, I think I'll refrain from posting about the college studies
right now, in hopes that another researcher will be able to come up
with something that more closely meets your needs. Good luck!
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Clarification of Question by
monroe22-ga
on
19 Apr 2004 12:51 PDT
juggler-ga: let's close the question. No further data needed.
monroe22-ga
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Request for Question Clarification by
juggler-ga
on
20 Apr 2004 00:01 PDT
Hi Monroe,
Here is some information about the college studies:
" No national studies on the mortality of Christian Scientists have
ever been done, but smaller studies have pointed to a high mortality
rate among Christian Scientists--for example, among the graduates of
Principia, the Christian Science college."
http://www.theatlantic.com/unbound/flashbks/xsci/suffer.htm
" A. RETROSPECTIVE MORTALITY STUDIES"
http://www.findarticles.com/cf_0/m6029/2-3_29/105518897/p4/article.jhtml?term=
Comparative Mortality of Two College Groups, 1945 - 1983
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00015022.htm
"Comparative longevity in a college cohort of Christian Scientists."
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=2769921&dopt=Abstract
Is this enough? Do you wish for me to post this as the official answer?
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