This study examines the impact of stock market returns on the incidence of hypertension and related outpatient visits using daily data from both regular and major-illness outpatient visits for hypertension. We find that the number of hypertension consultations increases significantly as the stock market declines. Specifically, the effect of market downturns on outpatient visits is more prominent among the seniors and those with poor baseline health. While ambient temperature has a relatively weak effect on regular outpatient visits for hypertension (ROV), it explains a greater share of the variation in major-illness outpatient visits for hypertension (MOV). Both sets of findings suggest that the health effect of stock market volatility is immediate and transient. Using monthly data on MOV, we also find a significantly negative association between MOV and stock market returns, especially during periods of extreme volatility such as market crashes. These findings suggest that stock price declines may increase outpatient visits for hypertension through psychological stress or wealth-loss channels.
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