Effects of the 2008 recession on health: a first look at European data

2 years ago, we published a paper in The Lancet reviewing the mortality experience of 26 European countries during economic crises over three decades.1 We showed how increases in unemployment had been associated with increased suicides among people younger than 65 years and with fewer road-traffic fatalities (reflecting lower car use). On the basis of our analyses, we predicted that the economic crisis that began in summer, 2008, would have similar consequences. To what extent have our predictions been fulfilled? We can now offer a preliminary assessment based on data on mortality in several European countries for 2009 (...)