There have already been numerous studies that show that there are many different health benefits of marriage for men. However, according to health officials, while wives can help save their husbands’ lives, living with a significant other doesn’t seem to offer the same health benefits as marriage.
Single and married men are more likely to see a doctor regularly than those simply living together, according to a new U.S. National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) study.
In addition, men who only live with their girlfriends were less likely to undergo preventive screenings such as cholesterol and blood pressure tests, the researchers said.
“Cohabiting men are a group particularly at risk of not receiving clinical preventive services recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force,” according to the NCHS Data Brief published June 11 by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The findings held true regardless of age, according to the study authors.
“That was completely unexpected, and I don’t have an explanation for it,” said study lead author Stephen Blumberg, an associate director with the NCHS division of health interview statistics.
Why?
According to sociology experts, the key to these results seems to involve the idea of commitment, since marriage involves committing to the future of someone other than yourself.
It’s important to note that the study findings don’t prove the connection between marriage — or bachelorhood — and visits to the doctor, or that husbands are, overall, healthier than boyfriends.
“Ultimately, the data we have available don’t tell us that life will be better down the line,” Blumberg said.
