The economy in the world is not going well and unfortunately many of us are affected, but some worse than others, which can lead to unfortunate situations, so it is important that we are more humane, kinder and better people.
Hello friends of leofinance, I hope you are doing very well. As you may well know, in many countries the economy is not doing very well, inflation, the consequences of the war in Ukraine, the still present aftermath of the Covid pandemic, has brought the economy of many nations to its knees. Studies show that in these times life becomes more difficult, and some people will not make it through. That is why it is important to be more united than ever.
How economic crises affect mortality.
Different studies over the years have addressed the issue of rising mortality during economic crises, although due to the complexity of the issue there is still no definitive answer on the total effect, the different studies focused on specific population groups point to the fact that economic crises do have an effect on mortality.
Some of these studies focus on the following statistics.
Inant mortality.
A study published in February of this year revealed that during 2020 due to the reduction in economic productivity caused by the Covid19 pandemic, 282,000 children under the age of 5 died than averaged in previous years, an increase in infant mortality of 5 to 6 percent. Given a global GDP contraction of only 5 percent, these figures indicate that given a contraction of, say, 15 percent, we could see 1 million more child deaths from preventable causes...terrible prospect....
Suicides.
Although there are no hard figures for the current economic crisis, and during the pandemic not only the economic factor was at play, we can consult studies on the impact of the 2008 economic crisis on suicides. During 2009 there were an additional 4884 suicides than expected based on statistics for the years 2000 to 2007. These deaths occurred among 27 countries in Europe and 17 in the Americas. Suicides increased on average by 4.2 to 6.4 percent. In Europe, the increase was mostly among young men between 18 and 24 years of age, while in the United States it was higher among men between 45 and 64 years of age. That is, the working ages, and the increase is attributed to economic instability and unemployment.
Access to health.
This part is more difficult to pin down, however a recent study indicates that reductions in GDP per capita can increase a nation's overall mortality by 0.3 to 1 percent depending on whether it is a developed or developing nation, to a large extent this is attributable not only to food but also to access to healthcare, with less money for the most expensive and often life saving treatments, many people die, due to a particular economic situation. This part is difficult to calculate and I recommend reading the study that I will leave among the sources, as many people do not even go to the hospital when they are sick but have no money, which masks the real figures.
To read a little about the terrible consequences that an acute economic collapse can have on the way of life of a people I recommend reading the book When Money Dies by Adam Fergusson, about life in Wiemar Germany after WWII. Or have a calm conversation with any Venezuelan emigrant....
Alcohol and drugs.
In Russia, after the collapse of the Soviet union and the subsequent collapse of the ruble in 98 alcohol related deaths increased considerably, just as unemployment during the 2008 crisis caused the same in the European union. Depression over not having money for the basics and not meeting a family's expectations can lead someone to seek refuge in drugs or alcohol, a refuge that can be deadly.
We have to be better.
With these brutal figures I just want to show how difficult times like these can be for many people, and serve as a call to all, to be more tolerant, kinder to others, I know it is difficult to be kind on an empty stomach, but in a situation as complex as this one never knows when a bad answer, a criticism or a reproach, can be the last push a person needs to jump off the cliff.
There are many sources of information on how to take care of mental health during times of economic crisis, remember that our mental health is just as important as our physical health, and we have to take care of it just as we take care of our body.
Talking with family and friends and staying connected is important... no one should go through times like this alone, certainly people are not perfect, but together we are better, avoiding things that do not generate a lot of stress and are not necessary is also important. And economic planning with our partners or close family members is necessary to have clear objectives for everyone....
I hope this reminder that the problem is global and can affect our lives and the lives of the people around us, so we can take steps to minimize its impact.
Thank you for reading me, and happy evening to all.
Recommended Bibliographic Reference
[1] CONTENT
[2] LEVELS AND TRENSDS IN CHILD UNDER 5 MORTALITY IN 2020
[3] JOURNAL