Instrumental variable estimation of the effect of prayer on depression.

This paper uses a cross-country representative sample of Europeans over the age of 50 to analyse whether individuals' religiosity is associated with higher levels of well-being as a large number of studies by mental health researchers and economists have suggested. It is shown that in simple models which take no account of possible simultaneity that religiosity, as measured by the frequency of prayer, is associated with a higher level of depression. To circumvent possible reverse causality, the paper utilises a quasi-experimental/instrumental variable design which allows one to interpret the findings as causal.

"... Take up thy bed, and vote." Measuring the relationship between voting behaviour and indicators of health.

In most countries health policy is an important part of the political agenda. Yet few studies have examined the relationship between the two. This study investigates the association between health and voter turnout in Britain using the National Child Development Study.