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2 clusters · 9 sources · 3 days · First seen · Last updated

Study on cat density and national happiness

Overview

An international study published in the journal PLOS One has identified correlations between cat density, the presence of the parasite Toxoplasma gondii, and national happiness levels across 93 countries.

The research indicates that higher cat density per 10,000 people is associated with higher reported levels of national happiness. Conversely, higher rates of Toxoplasma gondii infection, measured via antibody seroprevalence in pregnant women, are linked to lower levels of well-being. Researchers noted that these two variables together explained up to 47% of the differences in happiness between the evaluated nations.

While economic factors such as GDP per capita and healthcare spending remain the strongest drivers of happiness, the study suggests that biological and ecological conditions are significant factors even when controlling for wealth. Researchers cautioned that these are national-level correlations and do not prove that owning a cat directly causes happiness. The findings also highlight that wealthier nations often have better resources to manage health risks associated with domestic pets.

Entities

PLOS ONE · Toxoplasma gondii · Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz · University of Latvia · University of Turku

Timeline

  1. [HEALTH] 3 sources
    International study links cat density and parasites to national happiness

    A study of 93 countries published in PLOS One found that higher cat density correlates with increased national happiness, while higher exposure to the Toxoplasma gondii parasite is linked to lower well-being.

  2. [HEALTH] 6 sources
    Cat density linked to higher national happiness in 93-country study

    A study of 93 countries published in PLOS One found a correlation between higher cat density and increased national happiness, alongside a link between Toxoplasma gondii infection and lower well-being.

Sources

dol.com.br · envivo.rockandpop.cl · es.gizmodo.com · gzt.com · karapaia.com · mayacomunicacion.com.mx · metropoles.com · nazology.net · oglobo.globo.com