Could the Recession be good for your Health?
A recent article makes a bold presentation when it suggests that current economic decline may result in a healthier America. Sound crazy? Apparently during the years of the Great Depression, some shocking evidence was found. The lower our economy fell, the lower mortality rates were and once our country rose financially, life expectancy rate began to decrease. Studies found that during, what is known as, the “Roaring 20s”, life expectancy rates decreased, overall by approximately 7.5 years. However, immediately following the Great Depression, those years were not only added back to the lives of Americans but went up to a little more than 8 years. Basically, the article shows that mortality rates evolve in correspondence to the economy. What this means is simply that the higher the economy, the higher mortality rates and vice versa.
Basically, when the economy is good everyone is good financially; People have more money to buy cars, keep them fueled and ultimately drive them more often. With opportunities to make more, people are more willing to work full-time jobs and even put in overtime hours, which means less sleep. As mentioned before, more cars on the roads means a significant increase in pollution which can (and will) ultimately cause more cardiovascular diseases. With more money in their pockets, people can now afford to purchase more and more cigarettes and alcohol, which cause life threatening diseases and health issues.
Reaction: Overall, I am very pleased with this article; not because of the general idea but more so, the information that backs the theory up. I would have never guessed that there was a link between the economy and rates at which people are expected to die. I wonder, now, which is more important; one’s longevity or level of income? Would you rather live a long poor life or a short prosperous one?
http://health.usnews.com/articles/health/healthday/2009/09/29/could-the-recession-be-good-for-your-health.html
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