title: The relationship between religiosity and health-risk factors in geriatrics.
abstract: This study investigates the relationship between religion and alcohol use, sedentary life style, and tobacco use. A survey of 990 noninstitutionalized persons 62 years of age and older was completed. Five life-style questions, three religious questions, and patient demographic information were studied. Results and conclusions were clear. Persons who are married, above the poverty level, non-white, and male are more likely to use alcohol. Subjects with sedentary life styles are more likely to be older, single, non-white, and female. Smokers are more likely to be below the poverty line and non-white. Finally, the relationship between religion and health risks seems minimal, possibly because of a selection bias.
authors.affiliation: St. Elizabeth's Hospital Medical Center Family Practice Department in Youngstown, OH.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Thorne
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nickerson
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gemmel