Mortality of migrants from outside England and Wales by marital status.

Many international studies have shown that marriage is associated with better health and with lower mortality. Two hypotheses have emerged from these studies. The first suggests that the lower mortality of those who are married is a consequence of the selection of healthy people into marriage and remarriage. This leaves a residual, less healthy group of people who remain unmarried. The second hypothesis suggests that marriage itself is protective because it provides a framework for improved social and economic circumstances and healthy behaviour, which lowers the risk of premature mortality.