The medical community had better get ready for real trouble if its data is correct. In a recent survey of twenty to thirty-year olds, more than at any time in the past, these young people are considering staying single. What the heck are they thinking? From a medical point of view, (excluding cold sweats and tremors) marriage is thought to be one of the most health-protective moves a person can make. If an entire generation of young people stays single, the health of our country could go into the toilet, or at least that is what years of research data would suggest. Consider the following reasonably agreed upon health statistics. Compared to single and divorced folks, married people are less likely to be hospitalized, less likely to be have heart disease, less likely to have cirrhosis or alcoholism, less likely to have mental health disease, and less likely to succumb to cancer. In a Yale University study, a married man who smokes a pack daily will live just as long as a single man who has never smoked. So, all the comments such as, ”My wife is driving me nuts,” or “My husband is driving me to drink” or (my favorite) “She is going to put me in an early grave” really don’t hold up against the genius research at the world’s leading medical centers. Marriage is associated with better health, a happier life, and a longer life. Yup, if you are married, you will live about four years longer than if you are unmarried. For the young adults in the survey, it is worth noting that a live-in partner cannot replicate the benefits of marriage. What is the value of a happy and successful marriage compared to a “stressful” one? The data become a bit tricky here. In a recent study from the University of Texas, San Antonio, diabetes developed twice as frequently in members of difficult marriages than in the more successful unions. In this Texas study, after taking into account risk factors for diabetes, such as age, obesity, ethnicity, income, family history of diabetes, blood pressure, and cholesterol, subjects in marital situations defined as stressful by detailed questionnaire results were significantly more likely to develop the disease. The authors have recommended that marital stress now be added to the list of risk factors for diabetes. They did offer the helpful advice that diabetics with stressful marriages not simply divorce their spouses, but seek marital counseling in addition to diabetes treatment. The data relating to the impact of a happy marriage on spouse health is particularly curious because it seems that men benefit from marriage even if it is not “made in heaven.” Women, however, seem to have the bar set a bit higher (to no ones surprise) in that they have a health benefit from happy marriages, but not so from unhappy unions. (Select one response: “Men are so much easier to please” or “Men are such pigs.”) From the University of Pittsburgh’s 13 year study of women in their forty’s, women in happy marriages tended to be thinner, gained less weight over time, had lower cholesterol levels, and were at less risk for heart attacks. This will not come as a bolt of lightening to the women of the world. Marriage seems to be a better deal for good health for the guys than for the ladies. While it is obvious that a happy marriage is the best thing that could happen to anyone, the health benefits of the blessed union of marriage are stronger for men than for women and the quality of the marriage has a greater impact for women. This is that quality vs. quantity thing again. Before the women of the world toss this column in hubby’s lap while he is trying to watch the NFL playoffs, it would be a good idea to know what the researchers at the University of California, Berkeley found when the sought to answer the question: Does Marriage Protect Health or Do Healthier People Select Marriage? In a study of identical twins, this research group found that divorced twins of similar genetics, development, and income had the same mortality rate as the successfully married twin counterpart. The study suggests that genetically healthy, financially sound men tend to marry successfully. (Wow, there is a shocker!) This study would allow someone to conclude that the health benefits of marriage are more related to the genetics and income of the male spouse rather than to the benefits of a nurturing, loving spouse that will do the cooking, clean the house, and put up with hubby when all he wants to do I is watch the football game. Put another way, it would not hurt the health of the male if he were to help with the cooking and drive carpool every now and again. While the debate will continue as to whether marriage is a health protection or a characteristic of good genes and a wallet, I am forever hopeful for those who have partners with whom they can share all that life has to offer and share in this debate. How was your day, dear? >