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New Delhi, August 23, 2024: A recent study led by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has revealed that unemployed adults in India face a significantly higher risk of developing heart disease over a 10-year period compared to their employed counterparts or homemakers. The study, published in the Indian Journal of Medical Research, provides the first national estimate of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in India using non-laboratory-based charts developed by the World Health Organization (WHO).
The research analyzed data from nearly 4,500 adults aged 40-69 years, with approximately half of the participants in the younger age bracket of 40-49 years. Data collection involved surveys and questionnaires, including WHO tools designed to assess physical activity levels.
Key Findings:
- Higher Risk Among the Unemployed: The study found that only 54% of unemployed participants had a low risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, compared to 87-88% of employed individuals or homemakers. This indicates a significantly higher vulnerability among the unemployed population.
- Overall Risk Estimates: Among the study group, 85% were found to have a very low-to-low chance (less than 10%) of developing heart-related diseases. However, 14.5% had a moderate risk (10-20%), and 1% had a high-to-very high risk (over 20%) of experiencing heart conditions.
- Gender Disparities: The research highlighted gender disparities in heart disease risk. Twice as many men as women were at a higher than 10% risk of developing heart disease over the next decade. Among those with high blood sugar levels, women had an 85% increased risk of heart conditions, while men had a 77% higher risk.
- Impact of Obesity: Obesity also emerged as a significant risk factor. Women with obesity had a 71% higher chance of developing heart conditions, while men with obesity had a 55% increased risk compared to those with normal body weight.
- Urban vs. Rural: The study found that participants living in urban areas were at a higher risk of heart disease than those in rural areas, with 17.5% of urban participants having more than a 10% risk compared to 13.8% of rural participants. Notably, urban women had an 86% higher probability of elevated 10-year CVD risk compared to their rural counterparts.
National Significance:
This study marks a significant advancement in understanding the national burden of cardiovascular disease in India. Previous studies had limited their scope to geographically localized samples, making this study the first to provide a comprehensive national estimate using WHO’s non-laboratory-based risk assessment charts.
The findings underscore the importance of targeted public health interventions to address the heightened cardiovascular risks among unemployed adults, as well as the need for continued research to develop strategies to mitigate these risks across different population groups.
