anthrozoology.org

 Journal Social Indicators Research

Bruce Headey

University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic, 3052, Australia

Fu Na and Richard Zheng

Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China

Received: 24 November 2006  Accepted: 14 May 2007  Published online: 6 June 2007

This paper reports results from a ‘natural experiment' taking place in China on the impact of dogs on owners' health. Previous Western research has reported modest health benefits, but results have remained controversial. In China pets were banned in urban areas until 1992. Since then dog ownership has grown quite rapidly in the major cities, especially among younger women. In these quasi-experimental conditions, we hypothesise that dog ownership will show greater health benefits than in the West. Results are given from a survey of women aged 25-40 in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou (N = 3031). Half the respondents owned dogs and half did not. Owners reported better health-related outcomes. They exercised more frequently, slept better, had higher self-reported fitness and health, took fewer days off sick from work and were seen less by doctors. The concluding section indicates how these results may be integrated and suggests further research on the potential economic benefits of pets. 

Health benefits and potential budget savings due to pets: Australian and German survey results

Australian Social Monitor: Volume 2, Number 2: May 1999

Bruce Headey and Peter Krause

Australian and German dog and cat owners use health services less than the rest of the population. In both countries pet owners make about 12-15% fewer annual doctor visits than non-owners. German owners spend 32% fewer nights in hospital. Benefits appear particularly strong for older people, the population group with the worst health and heaviest use of health services. The paper also links the survey results to national health expenditure in order to estimate potential savings due to pet ownership. Indicative estimates are given of $2 billion savings for Australia in 1994-95 and DM9 billion for Germany in 1996.

Associate Professor Bruce HeadeyUniversity of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Animals, Community Health and Public Policy Symposium, 27th November 1998 Results from the German Socio-Economic Panel Survey (N=13400) indicate linkages between dog and cat ownership and lower use of health services. These linkages were initially found in small-scale Australian, American and British studies, a few of which had prospective designs and thus suggested causal links rather than just statistical associations (Anderson et al, 1992; Friedman et al, 1980; Friedman, 1995; Serpell, 1991; Siegel, 1990).

Medical Journal of Australia Vol 179 3 November 2003

Bruce Headey, Principal Research Fellow, Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC

IN THE CURRENT ISSUE of the Journal (page 466), Parslow and Jorm reopen the debate about whether pets benefit human health. They give the results of a high quality Australian sample survey indicating that pet owners do not have lower blood pressure than non-owners, and, in this respect at least, are not at lower risk of heart disease. Their results run counter to an earlier Australian study,2 based on a large volunteer sample, in which pet owners were found to have lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

Journal Social Indicators Research

Issue Volume 47, Number 2 / June, 1999,  Pages 233-243

Bruce Headey

Centre for Public Policy, University of Melbourne, 3052 Parkville, Victoria, Australia

American, Australian and British studies have shown that pet dogs and cats confer health benefits on their owners. This paper reports results from the first national survey (N = 1011) estimating the magnitude of these benefits. The survey showed that dog and cat owners make fewer annual doctor visits and are less likely to be on medication for heart problems and sleeping difficulties than non-owners. An important public policy implication is that pet ownership probably reduces national health expenditure. By linking sample survey results to data on health expenditure, the paper proposes a method of estimating savings. A preliminary estimate of savings of $988 million is given for Australia for financial year 1994--95.

In the fast pace of modern life, humans are experiencing health challenges at an unprecedented rate. Disease as a consequence of lifestyle is now common and is predicted to steadily rise. Obesity, mental illness and physical inactivity are all creating an increasing burden on our economy. Turning this trend around will require new thinking.

Research in public health has shown that restoring our connections with each other and with our environment will have benefits for individual health and for the community as a whole.

We now know that some of the simplest pleasures in our lives are among the most important to our health and wellbeing. Walking in our neighbourhood, interacting with people and animals, enjoying the natural environment have all been shown to play a significant role in supporting physical and mental health.

Mary M. Herrald, Joe Tomaka,  Amanda Y. Medina

This experiment examined the effects of pet ownership and potential mediating (e.g., social support) and moderating variables (e.g., gender, personality, pet attachment) on completion of a 12-week cardiac rehabilitation program. This experiment assessed pet ownership, personality, and psychosocial variables at the beginning of the program and followed participants through to completion. Results showed that pet owners (96.5%) were significantly more likely to complete cardiac rehabilitation compared with non-owners (79.2%). Covariance analyses ruled out several alternative explanations for the results, including social support, personality variables, personal efficacy, and pet attachment. Results suggest that having a pet may facilitate rehabilitation and that further research is needed to understand how having a pet or being a pet owner improves health outcomes.