Benefits of a Healthy Marriage...

A healthy, stale marriage brings long-lasting benefits to men, women, and children regardless of income, race, age or location. The benefits to both partners increase over time as long as the marriage remains healthy.

Happy-Healthy marriage creates:
*Longer life spans
*Less depression and a better ability to handle stress
*Steady employment and household income-up to twice as much as a non married household!
*Couples tend to exercise more often and eat properly
*Serious sicknesses happen less often and when they do occur couples tend to recover faster
*Shorter hospital visits and a less likely hood of needing a nursing home later on in life

Children who grow up in a healthy/happy marriage:
*Tend to live longer as adults and are more likely to reach 85 years of age
*Are less likely to engage in unhealthy behaviors such as drinking, smoking, or using drugs.
*Are more likely to have a stable marriage in which to raise their own children
*Tend to achieve higher academic success and economic stability as adults
*Are healthier as adults with fewer acute or chronic illnesses.

What is a "Healthy Marriage?"
A relationship that is mutually satisfying, where both spouses have a deep respect for each other and is beneficial to all members of the family. It is a relationship that is committed to ongoing growth, the use of effective communication skills and the use of successful conflict management skills.

This information is from:
The Effects of Marriage on health: A synthesis of Recent Research Evidence by Mathematical Policy Research, Inc.., July 2007
Iowa Department of Human Services
TANF
USDA
yesfoodiowa.gov