The Impact of Urbanization on Hypertension Prevalence. A Cross-Regional Analysis Using WHO Global Health Observatory Data

Scientific Study from the year 2025 in the subject Health - Health Sciences, grade: 4.2, Babcock University, language: English, abstract: Background: Urbanization is widely believed to contribute to the growing global burden of non-communicable diseases, particularly hypertension. However, the relationship between urban living and hypertension prevalence remains complex and context-dependent. This study investigates the association between urbanization and hypertension across global regions, using secondary data to understand how income and geographic factors mediate this relationship. Methods: A cross-sectional, quantitative analysis was conducted using publicly available data from the WHO Global Health Observatory and the World Bank. Data from 103 countries were analyzed to assess the relationship between the percentage of urban population and national hypertension prevalence. The study employed descriptive statistics and regression analysis, controlling for regional classification and income levels. Results: Contrary to common assumptions, the findings revealed a weak but statistically significant inverse relationship between urbanization and hypertension prevalence. Countries with higher levels of urbanization tended to have slightly lower hypertension rates, especially when adjusted for income. Low- and middle-income countries showed disproportionately high hypertension prevalence regardless of urbanization levels, suggesting that economic development and healthcare access play more pivotal roles than urbanization alone. Conclusion: Urbanization, when managed with appropriate infrastructure and health services, does not necessarily increase the risk of hypertension. Instead, the impact of urbanization is shaped by socioeconomic conditions, health systems, and regional characteristics. These findings highlight the need for tailored public health interventions that consider local contexts rather than relying on general assumptions about urban health risks.

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