The Impact of Social Welfare on Hypertension Among Community-Dwelling Older Adult in India.

Abstract

Hypertension, a prevalent health issue among older adults in India, poses a significant public health challenge in the country. This study examines the impact of the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS) on hypertension among older adults, shedding light on the potential influence of social welfare programs on health in this population. The data were derived from 28,855 participants aged 60 years and older in the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI), Wave 1. Hypertension was evaluated following the JNC-VIII guidelines, and their enrollment in social welfare programs was determined to identify IGNOAPS beneficiaries. The overall prevalence of hypertension was found to be 56.8%. Notably, 25.6% of the participants were beneficiaries of IGNOAPS. Non-beneficiaries were found to be more likely to have hypertension compared to beneficiaries (Adjusted Odds Ratio: 1.31, 95% Confidence Interval: 1.24-1.39), even after adjusting for all confounding variables. These findings emphasize the importance of social security measures and economic empowerment in improving the health and quality of life of older adults. Policymakers and stakeholders should consider implementing interventions that enhance the well-being of older adults by focusing on social welfare programs and economic independence.