Abstract
Studies11-18 show a connection between religious involvement and several health-related outcomes, including mental health and substance abuse, social health, quality of life, positive health behaviors, disease screening, continuity of care, surgical complications and use of health services, endocrine and immune function, hypertension, coronary artery obstruction, carotid atherosclerosis, survival rates, and positive human traits (e.g., forgiveness, gratitude, meaning and purpose, optimism and hope, altruism).