Science and Digital Briefs By Shopper Editor Dave Bunting 1/15/2020

Inexplicable
State of Faith TBN Series is explaining the inexplicable spread of the gospel throughout the world.
The gospel is the teachings of Jesus who taught 2,000 years ago for less than four years in Judea, a remote and very poor part of the Roman empire and who never traveled more than 40 miles from his birthplace, and by his twelve uneducated disciples none of whom had been prominent or noteworthy men.
The gospel is the basis for Christianity, by far the largest movement of like-minded people in the world.
“Part 1: From the Cradle of Christianity” premiered this past Monday, January 13 at 8/7c but is being rerun and the series will continue on Mondays at 5:00 pm PST.
TBN television channel is available on Dish channel 268 or online.
Info: https://www.tbn.org/
Ways to Live Longer
The Importance of Purpose
Damon observed that among 1200 adolescents and young adults aged 12 to 24 years, 20% expressed a sense of purpose that transcended self-interest. In a study of adults older than 50 years, Colby reported in the Pathways to Encore Purpose Project that 31% of 1198 individuals surveyed had a purpose “beyond the self” that included an interest in pursuing improving the lives of others, religious goals, making the world better, teaching and building community. Caring for others (including by grandparents) positively affects all-cause mortality. A recent study of 6985 individuals in the Health and Retirement Study of adults older than 50 years demonstrated that a stronger life purpose was associated with decreased mortality, suggesting that purposeful living has positive health benefits. For example, purpose can be renewed through career counseling in the workplace, as well as through churches, education and retraining opportunities at universities and colleges, or through community and public service or volunteer activities.
Social Engagement
In addition to having or renewing purpose, avoiding loneliness and promoting social connection correlate with health outcomes. A meta-analysis of 148 studies involving 408 849 participants showed positive social relationships were associated with a 50% increase in survival, whereas poor social relationships were associated with a 29% increase in cardiovascular disease and a 32% increase in strokes.9 Improving engagement can be achieved through friendships, family, and social networks as well as through religioius or community-focused social and volunteer groups.
Lifestyle Choices and Wellness
Lifestyle choices promoting wellness also influence morbidity and mortality. Notably, a favorable lifestyle was associated with a lower risk of dementia among individuals with high genetic risk and is a powerful example of disease mitigation through behavior and social choice. This is particularly important as society ages and the risk for dementia increases. The opportunity to modify the risk of obesity and dementia as well as cardiovascular disease, cancer, and other disorders through changes in lifestyle and positive age beliefs is noteworthy. That regular exercise is pursued by 22.9% of the population speaks to the need for community-based fitness groups or mobile devices that engage individuals in health habits.
Pursing these life improvements is particularly important after major life changes such as retirement, divorce or moving to a new town.
Includes excerpts from the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).
Info: shpr.fyi/livelonger