This post originally appeared at https://wifamilycouncil.org/radio/marriage-prevents-deaths-of-despair/

Recent studies show that economic stagnation in conjunction with the increased availability of prescription opioids has contributed to an increase in “deaths of despair,” which are deaths from drug or alcohol overdose, suicide, or alcoholic liver disease. Between two thousand five and twenty nineteen, an average of seventy thousand Americans each year died from those causes. Institute for Family Studies revealed that deaths of despair rates are significantly higher for unmarried individuals than for married individuals. Marriage continues to matter.

IFS found that marriage has a protective effect against deaths of despair, which is one more reason the decline of marriage has been catastrophic. Experts say revitalizing marriage and supporting stable families would do as much for decreasing deaths of despair as increasing levels of education, if not more. Once again, God’s way is the best way.

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