Sara R, Radoias V, Kim Y. Hypertension effects of the COVID-19 lockdowns: Evidence from a repeated cross-sectional survey in Peru.
ECONOMICS AND HUMAN BIOLOGY 2024;
52:101332. [PMID:
38113604 DOI:
10.1016/j.ehb.2023.101332]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
Using data from Peru and a quasi-experimental approach, we document significant increases in arterial blood pressure and in the incidence of arterial hypertension caused by the restrictive measures employed by the Peruvian authorities during the COVID-19 pandemic. The effects are more pronounced for women, older respondents, and urban residents. The effects are statistically significant and high in magnitude relative to the pre-pandemic incidence of disease in the Peruvian population. A main channel of disease propagation seems to be the changes in dietary habits and physical activity imposed by the COVID-19 lockdowns, which affected several anthropometric measurements that are common risk factors for hypertension.
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