Dr Nhung Nghiem.
The COVID-19 pandemic-induced recession and rising unemployment may increase the occurrence of heart disease in New Zealand, particularly in middle-aged men.
Dr Nhung Nghiem, an economist and modeller from the University of Otago, Wellington, and her colleagues, Dr Anja Mizdrak and Professor Nick Wilson, analysed research papers published since 2000 on the association between unemployment and economic crises, and heart disease.
Most of the studies found that increases in unemployment were connected with an increase in heart disease and death, especially for middle-aged men. The evidence also showed an association between chronic psychosocial stress and high blood pressure, a known risk factor for heart disease.
Dr Anja Mizdrak
“It is clear that involuntary unemployment causes stress and forces most people to lower their standard of living. Being in a less financially secure position and living in a deprived area are also risk factors for heart disease.”
She says the wage subsidies and job creation programmes introduced by the New Zealand Government in response to the pandemic have been positive moves – but more might need to be done to prevent unemployment rising further.
Dr Mizdrak says the Government could minimise the impact rising unemployment is having on heart disease by reducing other key risk factors for the condition.
“The Government could accelerate moves to make New Zealand smoke-free by 2025, introduce regulations to reduce the level of salt and saturated fat in processed food and improve the uptake of preventive medications, including cholesterol-lowering statins and treatments for high blood pressure.”
Professor Nick Wilson.
Dr Nghiem says heart disease disproportionately affects Māori, Pacific, South Asian peoples and low-income New Zealanders.
“Māori and Pacific peoples are also over represented in the groups who are on low incomes and in occupations vulnerable to economic shocks that trigger unemployment.”
Dr Mizdrak comments: “The Government needs to address both unemployment and heart disease if they are to reduce health inequities in this country.”
The research paper, 'Increased unemployment from the COVID-19 pandemic, what might be the adverse impacts on cardiovascular disease in Aotearoa/New Zealand and how might this be prevented?' is published in the New Zealand Medical Journal.
For further information, contact:
Dr Anja Mizdrak
Research Fellow
BODE3 Programme
Department of Public Health
University of Otago, Wellington
Email anja.mizdrak@otago.ac.nz
Cheryl Norrie
Communications Adviser
University of Otago, Wellington
Mob +64 21 249 6787
Email cheryl.norrie@otago.ac.nz
Find an Otago Expert
Use our Media Expertise Database to find an Otago researcher for media comment.