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Health Promoting Habits of People Who Pray for Their Health

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Abstract

To determine the health habits of people who pray for their health, data from the National Health Interview Survey was analyzed for health habits of people who prayed or did not pray for their health. Of the 22,314 respondents, 13,179 (59%) prayed for their health. These individuals saw a physician more frequently, participated more frequently in vigorous exercise and used more relaxation techniques, support groups, meditation and complimentary and alternative medicine therapies. People who pray for their health participate in more health promoting behaviors than people who do not pray for their health.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ, USA

    John T. Harrigan

  2. 301 Sussex Ave, Spring Lake, NJ, 07762, USA

    John T. Harrigan

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  1. John T. Harrigan
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Correspondence to John T. Harrigan.

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Harrigan, J.T. Health Promoting Habits of People Who Pray for Their Health. J Relig Health 50, 602–607 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-009-9293-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-009-9293-3

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