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Hypertension and happiness across nations
David G Blanchflower1, Andrew J Oswald
1Department of Economics, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755, USA. blanchflower@dartmouth.edu
Journal of Health Economics
|January 18, 2008
Summary
Happier nations, like Denmark, show lower hypertension rates, validating well-being survey findings. Blood pressure may be a key indicator for national well-being indices.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Psychology
Background:
- International well-being surveys report varying happiness levels across nations.
- The credibility of these cross-national happiness differences has been questioned.
- Hypertension prevalence varies significantly between countries.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between national happiness levels and hypertension prevalence.
- To assess the validity of cross-national well-being survey data.
- To explore the utility of blood pressure readings in national well-being assessments.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from 16 countries, correlating well-being survey results with hypertension data.
- Utilized existing national health and happiness survey data.
- Calculated new rankings for European nations' GHQ-N6 mental health scores.
Main Results:
- A systematic inverse correlation was found between national happiness and hypertension rates.
- Happier countries exhibited lower average blood pressure.
- New mental health rankings for European nations were generated.
Conclusions:
- Findings support the credibility of cross-national differences in measured happiness.
- Hypertension levels appear to be a valid indicator of population well-being.
- Blood pressure data could enhance national well-being indices.
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