Religion's significance in the United States is clear but so is the challenge of measuring the impact of religious practice on American life. What measurable effects does religious practice have on other aspects of life, such as civic engagement, health outcomes, or family dynamics? How do researchers explain these relationships?

"Religious Practice in America: What the Research Says" is an annual conference series dedicated to sharing high-quality social science data and analysis addressing these questions and to exploring next steps for research that will inform American public discussion, hosted by The Heritage Foundation, with research partners the Baylor Institute for the Studies of Religion, and Child Trends.

The 2008 conference "Religious Practice and Health: What the Research Says" was held December 3 at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, D.C. Leading researchers in the field presented their findings about the role of religious practice in health and mental health outcomes. Explore this website to learn more about the conference agenda, speakers, and archives.

View papers and videos from the 2008 conference

Read more about the 2007 conference

2007 Conference speakers, from top: John Wallace, University of Pittsburgh; Robert Wuthnow, Center for the Study of Religion at Princeton University; Byron Johnson, Baylor Institute for the Studies of Religion (left); Sung Joon Jang, Baylor University; Kristin Moore, Child Trends

 

  

View Religous Practice and Health Conference Archive
Stephen Post, author of Why Good Things Happen to Good People, presented an overview of social science research on how the love of neighbor generally results in enhanced happiness and
health. By revealing such unexpected by-products of goodness, research confirms it really may be better to give than to receive.