Latest news with #DrKimberlyNarain
Free Malaysia Today
24-06-2025
- Health
- Free Malaysia Today
Does self-employment better protect women's heart health?
US research reveals self-employment literally transforms women's health. (Envato Elements pic) PARIS : Female entrepreneurship is often associated with insecurity and stress. Juggling difficult clients, irregular income, and domestic responsibilities is the supposed daily reality for self-employed women. But beyond these very real challenges, a new US study reveals an unexpected benefit of self-employment: it claims that women who work for themselves have a much lower risk of cardiovascular disease than their salaried counterparts. This study, conducted by Dr Kimberly Narain and colleagues at the University of California, Los Angeles School of Medicine, sheds new light on female self-employment through a novel methodological approach. Rather than relying on subjective questionnaires, the researchers analysed biological data from 19,400 adults from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Forget vague statements about stress or sleep – here, the research is based on objective markers that speak for themselves: cholesterol, blood pressure, BMI, blood sugar. This method gives the results remarkable scientific validity. The findings are striking: self-employment literally transforms women's health. White women see their obesity rates drop by 7.4 percentage points, their physical inactivity decrease by 7 points, and poor sleep duration decline by 9.4 points. For women of colour, the benefits are just as notable, with a 6.7-point decline in poor diet, a 7.3-point decrease in physical inactivity, and an 8.1-point decline in poor sleep duration. 'There is a relationship between self-employment and heart disease risk factors and this relationship seems to be stronger in women relative to men,' Narain noted. The reason? Women carry a particularly heavy burden of stress, constantly juggling professional demands and family obligations. This pressure seems to be considerably alleviated by self-employment, as professional autonomy appears to offer women valuable flexibility in managing multiple constraints. Gone are the rigid schedules that are difficult to reconcile with school pickups or doctor's appointments. No more endless meetings that encroach on family time. Self-employment allows people to regain control over their schedules and, in turn, their health. For men, the benefits are more modest. Self-employed white men see improvements in their diet and blood pressure, but men of colour do not derive any benefits from their self-employed status. Improving women's well-being at work Published in BMC Public Health, this study challenges our understanding of the link between work and cardiovascular health. It is already known that stressful jobs contribute to high blood pressure and heart disease. Self-employment seems to offer an escape from these constraints, at least for certain segments of the population. Given the correlation between self-employment and heart health, companies could explore measures such as allowing more hybrid remote work and flexible hours. (Envato Elements pic) For Narain, these findings call for a complete overhaul of our approach to work. 'It is imperative to increase our understanding of how the work environment gets under our skin, so we can come up with ways to ensure everyone has access to a healthy work environment,' the expert said. This is especially urgent at a time when cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death worldwide. The correlation between self-employment and cardiovascular health opens up concrete avenues for improving health at work, without the need for salaried staff to go it alone. Companies could, for example, make hybrid remote working and flexible working hours the norm, particularly for employees with family responsibilities. Introducing a genuine 'right to switch off' and limiting meetings to times that are compatible with family life would be simple but effective measures. In terms of public policy, strengthening support for women entrepreneurs and developing cardiovascular prevention programmes tailored to women's specific constraints would amplify these benefits. It should, however, be noted that this study does not establish any causal relationship. Other factors could explain these findings, such as certain personality traits that may favour both the choice of self-employment and better health. Despite these limitations, this research provides perspectives for rethinking the organisation of work. If professional autonomy does indeed help women's cardiovascular health, integrating greater flexibility into traditional work environments becomes a major public health issue.
Forbes
08-06-2025
- Health
- Forbes
Self-Employment Linked to Lower Heart Disease Risk
New study suggests self-employment may reduce the risk of heart disease. Every 33 seconds, someone in the U.S. dies from cardiovascular disease, according to the CDC. Yet a new 2025 UCLA analysis of 20,000 working adults finds that self-employment, especially for women, is linked to significantly lower rates of obesity, inactivity, and poor sleep, three of the biggest drivers of heart trouble. Here's what that means for anyone considering self-employment, including a side hustle, gig work, or simply pushing for more flexibility in their day job. The UCLA study used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), a rigorous national dataset that combines in-person exams, objective health measures, and detailed questionnaires. Researchers analyzed factors such as body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, exercise frequency, and sleep patterns, providing a comprehensive view of participants' heart health. Here's what the researchers discovered: Why might self-employment boost women's health? The study's authors and outside experts point to the job-demand-control model—a theory that suggests autonomy (control over tasks and schedules) buffers against job stress and its physiological effects. 'There is a relationship between self-employment and heart disease risk factors and this relationship seems to be stronger in women relative to men,' said lead author Dr. Kimberly Narain, assistant professor-in-residence of medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. 'It is imperative to increase our understanding of how the work environment gets under our skin so we can come up with ways to ensure that everyone has access to a healthy work environment.' Research from Harvard and other institutions consistently finds that high job control is associated with better cardiovascular outcomes, especially for women. Consider what a typical day looks like for someone self-employed: By contrast, traditional employment often involves stricter schedules, mandatory meetings, and fewer opportunities to tailor work to one's well-being. While women enjoyed clear benefits, the study found that men did not experience the same heart health advantages from self-employment. In fact, Black and Hispanic men who were self-employed had similar or even worse risk profiles than their employed peers. Experts suggest several possible explanations: This nuance matters because self-employment is not a universal cure-all, and policies to support healthier work should be mindful of structural and demographic differences. Heart disease remains the top killer of American women, but it's also among the most preventable. According to the CDC, small changes in weight, activity, and sleep can dramatically lower risk. Employers who care about the well-being—and long-term productivity—of their teams can make a difference by: If you're self-employed, or thinking about it ,you can maximize the health benefits of autonomy with a few mindful steps: The science is clear. Autonomy at work isn't just about productivity or job satisfaction. It could be a literal lifesaver. If you've ever considered a side hustle, self-employment, or simply pushing for more flexibility in your day job, now is the time. Your heart may thank you for it. 1. What is the connection between self-employment and heart disease risk? Research suggests that self-employed women experience lower rates of obesity, physical inactivity, and insufficient sleep, all major heart disease risk factors, compared to traditionally employed women. 2. Does self-employment improve heart health for men, too? The 2025 UCLA study found that self-employed men did not experience the same heart health benefits as women, and results varied significantly by race and ethnicity. 3. What explains the health advantage for self-employed women? Experts believe increased autonomy and schedule flexibility allow self-employed women to prioritize physical activity, sleep, and healthy habits, reducing their heart disease risk. 4. Are there downsides to self-employment for health? Self-employment can bring financial instability, stress, and, for some, reduced access to healthcare or social support, so not all aspects are beneficial for health. 5. What other research supports these findings? A 2023 Harvard study published in the American Journal of Public Health linked job autonomy and flexible work arrangements to lower rates of hypertension and cardiovascular events. 6. What can employers do to help employees reduce heart disease risk? Offering flexible hours, true results-based work, and health-supportive benefits can help all employees adopt heart-healthy behaviors. 7. How can self-employed workers protect their heart health? Experts recommend building financial stability, scheduling regular exercise and sleep, prioritizing preventive care, and maintaining social connections for long-term well-being.
