Are recessions good for your health?

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Ruhm, CJ
• 署名单位: University of North Carolina; University of North Carolina Greensboro; National Bureau of Economic Research
• 刊物名称: QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF ECONOMICS
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0033-5533
• DOI: 10.1162/003355300554872
• 发表日期: 2000
• 页码: 617-650
• 关键词: myocardial-infarction; alcohol-consumption; mortality; unemployment; time; income; drinking; context; stress; RISK

摘要

This study investigates the relationship between economic conditions and health. Total mortality and eight of the ten sources of fatalities examined are shown to exhibit a procyclical fluctuation, with suicides representing an important exception. The variations are largest for those causes and age groups where behavioral responses are most plausible, and there is some evidence that the unfavorable health effects of temporary upturns are partially or fully offset if the economic growth is long-lasting. An accompanying analysis of microdata indicates that smoking and obesity increase when the economy strengthens, whereas physical activity is reduced and diet becomes less healthy.