Marital Status and Health

In the United States, mortality rates are higher for nonmarried people than married people, and are especially high for the formerly married. To determine if morbidity and disability reveal the same differentials, age-adjusted data from the Health Interview Survey, Health Examination Survey, 1960 and 1970 Censuses of Population, and other federal health surveys are examined. The noninstitutional population is considered first: divorced and separated people have the worst health status, with highest rates of acute conditions, of chronic conditions which limit social activity, and of disabilityfor health problems. Widowed people rank second for health status, followed by single people. Married people appear healthiest, having low rates of chronic limitation and disability. Their rates of restricted activity and medical care are intermediate, but hospital stays tend to be short. Considering the institutional population, rates of residence in health institutions are highest for single people and lowest for married ones. These results are explained by marital roles and life styles which influence health, by selectivity into a marital status because of health, and by propensities to take health actions when feeling ill.