In the United States, mortality rates are higher-fir nonmarried people than married
people, and are especially high for the formerly married. To determine if morbidity
and disability reveal the same difirentials, age-adjusted data from the Health Interview
Survey, Health Examination Survey, 1960 and 1970 Censuses of Population,
and other federal health surveys are examined. The noninstitutional population is
considered.first: divorced and separated people have the worst health status, with
highest rates of acute conditions, of chronic conditions which limit social activity,
and of diabilityfor health problems. Widowed people rank second for health status,
follored by single people. Married people appear healthiest, having low rates of
chronic limitation and disability. Their rates of restricted activity and medical care
are intermediate, but hospital stays tend to be short. Considering the institutional
population, rates of residence in health institutions are highest for single people and
lowest.fir married ones. These results are explained by marital roles and life styles
which influence health, by selectivity into a marital status because of health, and by
propensities to take health actions when feeling ill.