Channels

Photo: Shutterstock
Haredim live longer and are healthier (illustration)
Photo: Shutterstock

Report: Ultra-Orthodox in Israel healthier, live longer

Cities with a high concentration of haredi residents have a higher life expectancy – as much as three years – than otherwise expected based on socioeconomic factors.

Residents of cities that have a high concentration of ultra-Orthodox Jews have a much higher life expectancy than expected based on their socioeconomic status, the Taub Institute's annual report showed on Wednesday.

 

 

The report showed that the vast majority, 73.6 percent, of ultra-Orthodox people defined their health as "very good", compared to 50 percent among other population segments. Furthermore, 18.7 percent of ultra-Orthodox Jews reported suffering from health problems – compared to double or more that rate among other populations.

 

Ultra-Orthodox men (Photo: Shutterstock)
Ultra-Orthodox men (Photo: Shutterstock)

 

Further research showed a relationship between reporting good health and high social capital. This supports a belief that the ultra-Orthodox in Israel have high social capital and a sense of better health. That said, researchers speculate that the findings are also related to social norms among the ultra-Orthodox, which do not encourage complaining, especially in a national poll.

 

Researchers suggest that ultra-Orthodox people have relatively high social capital, which manifests in a proliferation of friendships, high satisfaction from family relationships, a supportive social system, and community volunteer work.

 

The report found that the average life expectancy among ultra-Orthodox men was about three years higher than would be expected based on their socioeconomic status. For women, life expectancy was two-and-a-half years higher than expected.

 


פרסום ראשון: 12.23.15, 23:44
 new comment
Warning:
This will delete your current comment