Active LDS Members Have a Cardiovascular Death Rate 74% Below the U.S. Average

The Enstrom and Breslow cohort study of 9,844 active California LDS members found that those adhering to LDS health practices had a standardized mortality ratio (SMR) for all cardiovascular diseases of just 26 for middle-aged men — meaning their heart disease death rate was 74% below the U.S. average. Women showed an SMR of 34, or 66% below the national baseline.

This cardiac risk profile is among the lowest ever documented in a U.S. population cohort. The Word of Wisdom — the LDS health code prohibiting tobacco and alcohol — appears to be a primary contributing factor.