Disciple
October 14th, 2004, 06:26 PM
Healthy And Wise
by Justin Cohen - Oct 14
Britain’s Jewish community is healthier and wiser than any other religious group, according to a new Office of National Statistics report.
The positive picture of Britain’s 276,000-strong community is painted in Focus on Religion which compares the lifestyles of different faiths.
Based on the 2001 census, it reveals 76 per cent of Jews claimed they were in good health, compared with 71 per cent of Christians.
The figure was reached after adjusting for the different ages of the religious groups.
Rabbi Rapoport, the chief rabbi's medical ethics spokesman said: "This reflects the emphasis Judaism places upon looking after one's health.
“According to Jewish ethics, the human being is a custodian, not an owner, of the body. As such, one is obliged to keep it in good condition."
Jews also topped the class when it came to education. An impressive 37 per cent held a degree, while just five per cent of those born in the UK had no qualifications.
That’s compared with one in three British Muslims who had no academic credentials, the highest proportion for any religious group.
The entrepreneurial spirit was shown to be live and kicking as well. More than 30 per cent of Britain’s Jews run their own businesses, double the number of self-employed Christians.
British Jewry also proved to be adept at scaling the property ladder. Forty per cent of the community reported owning their homes outright, more than any other group. Only 32 per cent of Christian property owners claimed they had no need for a mortgage.
Dr Bryan Sheinman, a consultant at the North Middlesex hospital, said: “Self-reported illness statistics may simply indicate lower reporting levels rather than better health.
“Nevertheless, overcrowding and low educational levels have been noted previously to be associated with higher levels of ill-health of various types and both are associated with low socio-economic status."
http://www.totallyjewish.com/news/stories/?disp_type=0&disp_story=clDn5F
by Justin Cohen - Oct 14
Britain’s Jewish community is healthier and wiser than any other religious group, according to a new Office of National Statistics report.
The positive picture of Britain’s 276,000-strong community is painted in Focus on Religion which compares the lifestyles of different faiths.
Based on the 2001 census, it reveals 76 per cent of Jews claimed they were in good health, compared with 71 per cent of Christians.
The figure was reached after adjusting for the different ages of the religious groups.
Rabbi Rapoport, the chief rabbi's medical ethics spokesman said: "This reflects the emphasis Judaism places upon looking after one's health.
“According to Jewish ethics, the human being is a custodian, not an owner, of the body. As such, one is obliged to keep it in good condition."
Jews also topped the class when it came to education. An impressive 37 per cent held a degree, while just five per cent of those born in the UK had no qualifications.
That’s compared with one in three British Muslims who had no academic credentials, the highest proportion for any religious group.
The entrepreneurial spirit was shown to be live and kicking as well. More than 30 per cent of Britain’s Jews run their own businesses, double the number of self-employed Christians.
British Jewry also proved to be adept at scaling the property ladder. Forty per cent of the community reported owning their homes outright, more than any other group. Only 32 per cent of Christian property owners claimed they had no need for a mortgage.
Dr Bryan Sheinman, a consultant at the North Middlesex hospital, said: “Self-reported illness statistics may simply indicate lower reporting levels rather than better health.
“Nevertheless, overcrowding and low educational levels have been noted previously to be associated with higher levels of ill-health of various types and both are associated with low socio-economic status."
http://www.totallyjewish.com/news/stories/?disp_type=0&disp_story=clDn5F