Fwd: Volunteering Produces Health Benefits

How are you all feeling this morning? Pretty good I'd guess!

Begin forwarded message:

>
> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
> CONTACT: Norris P. West
>
> May 7, 2007
> 202/606-6840; nwest@cns.gov
>
>
>
> Volunteering Produces Health Benefits
>
> New Report Shows Helping Others Improves Your Wellbeing and Longevity
>
>
>
> Washington, D.C. - Volunteers help themselves to better health while
> helping others, according to a study released today by the Corporation
> for National and Community Service that reviews a compelling
> collection
> of recent scientific research.
>
>
>
> The Health Benefits of Volunteering: A Review of Recent Research has
> found a significant connection between volunteering and good
> health. The
> report shows that volunteers have greater longevity, higher functional
> ability, lower rates of depression and less incidence of heart
> disease.
> The report is available in the Research and Policy section of the
> Corporation's website at
> http://www.nationalservice.gov/about/role_impact/
> performance_research.as
> p#HBR.
>
>
>
> "Volunteering makes the heart grow stronger," said David Eisner,
> CEO of
> the Corporation. "More than 61 million Americans volunteer to improve
> conditions for people in need and to unselfishly give of themselves.
> While the motivation is altruistic, it is gratifying to learn that
> their
> efforts are returning considerable health benefits."
>
>
>
> The Health Benefits of Volunteering documents major findings from more
> than 30 rigorous and longitudinal studies that reviewed the
> relationship
> between health and volunteering, with particular emphasis on studies
> that seek to determine the causal connection between the two factors.
> The studies, which were controlled for other factors, found that
> volunteering leads to improved physical and mental health.
>
>
>
> "I commend the Corporation for National and Community Service for its
> timely focus on health and volunteerism. These findings complement
> the
> Administration on Aging's ongoing efforts to harness the power of
> prevention and wellness for all older Americans. Volunteerism is an
> important tool in our strategy to promote health and prevent disease,"
> said Josefina G. Carbonell, Assistant Secretary for Aging at the U.S.
> Department of Health and Human Services.
>
>
>
> Research suggests that volunteering is particularly beneficial to the
> health of older adults and those serving 100 hours annually. According
> to the report:
>
>
>
> * A study of adults age 65 and older found that the positive
> effect of volunteering on physical and mental health is due to the
> personal sense of accomplishment an individual gains from his or her
> volunteer activities.
> * Another study found that volunteering led to lower rates of
> depression in individuals 65 and older.
> * A Duke study found that individuals who volunteered after
> experiencing heart attacks reported reductions in despair and
> depression
> - two factors that that have been linked to mortality in post-coronary
> artery disease patients.
> * An analysis of longitudinal data found that individuals over 70
> who volunteered approximately 100 hours had less of a decline in
> self-reported health and functioning levels, experienced lower
> levels of
> depression, and had more longevity.
> * Two studies found that volunteering threshold is about 100 hours
> per year, or about two hours a week. Individuals who reached the
> threshold enjoyed significant health benefits, although there were not
> additional benefits beyond the 100-hour mark.
>
>
>
> "This is good news for people who volunteer," said Robert Grimm,
> Director of the Corporation's Office of Research and Policy
> Development
> and Senior Counselor to the CEO. "This research is particularly
> relevant
> to Baby Boomers, who are receiving as well as giving when they help
> others. Just two hours of volunteering a week can bring meaningful
> benefits to a person's body and mind."
>
>
>
> Last month, the Corporation released Volunteering in America: 2007
> State
> Trends and Rankings in Civic Life, a report that includes numerous
> measures on volunteering and civic engagement. The Health Benefits of
> Volunteering report builds on that by showing states with higher
> volunteer rates also have better health and that there is a
> significant
> statistical relationship between states with higher volunteer rates
> and
> lower incidents of mortality and heart disease.
>
>
>
> "There is now a convergence of research leading to the conclusion that
> helping others makes people happier and healthier. So the word is
> out -
> it's good to be good. Science increasingly says so," said Dr. Stephen
> Post, a professor at the Case Western Reserve University School of
> Medicine and co-author of the forthcoming book "Why Good Things Happen
> to Good People: The Exciting New Research That Proves the Link Between
> Doing Good and Living a Longer, Healthier, Happier Life."
>
>
>
> This follow-up report issued today brings more evidence that
> volunteering produces significant health benefits. Those who gave
> social
> support to others had lower rates of mortality than those who did
> not -
> even when controlling for socioeconomic status, education, marital
> status, age, gender, and ethnicity, the report stated.
>
>
>
> "Civic Engagement and volunteering is the new hybrid health club for
> the 21st century that's free to join," added Thomas H. Sander,
> executive
> director of the Saguaro Seminar at Harvard University. Social capital
> research shows it miraculously improves both your health AND the
> community's through the work performed and the social ties built."
>
>
>
> The Corporation for National and Community Service improves lives,
> strengthens communities, and fosters civic engagement through service
> and volunteering. Each year, the Corporation provides opportunities
> for
> more than 2 million Americans of all ages and backgrounds to serve
> their
> communities and country through Senior Corps, AmeriCorps and Learn and
> Serve America. For more information, visit
> http://www.nationalservice.gov.
>
>

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