Unravelling the occupational factor and hypertension puzzle among Indian older adults

Background

Poor health significantly impacts productive years of life. This study examines hypertension onset and survival probabilities for hypertension among adults aged 60 years and above, focusing on variations by working status and occupational profile.

Data and methods

The study utilized data from the first wave of the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (2017–2018), comprising a sample of 31,782 individuals aged 60 years and above (15,293 males and 16,489 females). The primary outcome variable was the onset of hypertension, which was self-reported but confirmed by a health professional. The year of diagnosis was recorded as the onset year of hypertension. To achieve the study objectives, descriptive statistical analyses and Cox proportional hazards models were applied.

Results

The study revealed that approximately 41.01% of males and 33.62% of females were expected to remain free from hypertension beyond the age of 80. The onset of hypertension showed a marked acceleration after the age of 40, with an inverse relationship between increasing age and hypertension-free survival. Additionally, working older adults were found to have a 21% lower likelihood of developing hypertension compared to those who had previously worked but were currently not working.

Conclusion

The findings indicate that continued economic activity in later life is associated with improved survival rates and a delayed onset of hypertension among older adults. These results underscore the importance of promoting active and healthy aging through policies.