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Mortality after the Hospitalization of a Spouse


Nicholas A. Christakis & Paul D. Allison | February 16

New England Journal of Medicine - People may have health consequences as a result of the illness of a spouse, the death of a spouse, or both. We found that serious spousal illness (as marked by hospitalization) and spousal death appear to be independently associated with the risk of death of the partner, for both men and women. Indeed, within the first 30 days, the hospitalization of a spouse was associated with a risk of death for the partner that was almost as great as that associated with the death of a spouse. Over the long run, for men, hospitalization of a spouse was associated with a risk of death that was 22 percent of the risk associated with the death of a spouse; for women, the risk was 16 percent of the risk associated with spousal death.

presented for all those concerned with elder care.  When "casually" browsing NEJM arcticles, I recommend reading the Abstract, then skipping to the "Discussion" section.  Visit the "Methods" and "Results" sections only if you're an insomniac.


Rick February 22, 2006 - 2:05pm
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( categories: AgonistWire | Science )

husbands shorten wives lives

The stress of marriage shortens your life by a year (if you're the wife)

By Roger Dobson

Published: 26 February 2006

Wedding rings should come with a health warning - at least for women. New research reveals that while wedlock helps men to live longer, it shortens a woman's life by more than a year.

Marriage helps husbands to an extra 1.7 years, but it knocks 1.4 years off the average wife's lifespan, according to the study of more than 100,000 people across Europe.

The stress of leading dual roles as working women and homekeepers is thought to be one of the key elements that is killing off female spouses earlier than their single sisters.

bit more

http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/health_medical/article347804.ece

Tina February 26, 2006 - 6:34pm
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OK, I'll take that as a "zero".

;-)

Rick February 26, 2006 - 1:05am
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CNA

My mom thankfully is in good health and comes from a longevity blessed family tree, but I used to work in a nursing home. Working with the elderly is an awesome experience and has made some of my most favorite memories.

Tina February 26, 2006 - 1:14am
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Yes, marriage tends to increase the man's

longevity at some expense to the woman's.  

I was going to suggest that pregnancy, childbirth and the correspond tidal wave of hormones have an adverse effect on women, then I read this in the (lightweight) article:  "The researchers also suggested that the effect of regular sex could be detrimental for women's longevity..."

Well, yah, if it results in pregnancy.  Geez....it's like TV news.

Rick February 27, 2006 - 11:22am
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I think

the 10 first children increase the life span of a woman ! Especially if the first one is delivered before the age of 25.

http://scoop.agonist.org/story/2006/3/3/6356/46440

Never underestimate the pervertness of Mother Nature and Father Darwin, if they designed that nuns will have the longest life span. At least prostitutes don't have.

Gandalf March 3, 2006 - 3:04pm
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