A recent report by the George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services spells out the potential health consequences of the current recession.
The report also reviews proposals that are part of federal efforts to stimulate an economic recovery and would help to reduce impoverishment, strengthen access to healthcare and protect the health of more Americans.
GWU researchers say the links between income and health are clear: higher-income people live longer, with less disease and disability, than lower-income people.
The report's findings also reveal that:
- In recent months a rising number of Americans have failed to obtain medical care because of cost, cut back on preventive care and skimped on their medication.
- For every 1 percent rise in joblessness more than 1 million people join the ranks of the uninsured. People who are uninsured receive poorer medical care, are less likely to get recommended screenings and other prevention services and are more likely to delay physician visits, neglect chronic conditions and incur medical debt.
- When joblessness jumps by 1 percent, states add about 1 million more people to the rolls of Medicaid and the State Children's Insurance Program (SCHIP), putting increased pressure on already tight budgets. Many states are cutting Medicaid programs despite evidence that they are an economic, efficient and resilient form of health insurance coverage.
- Families are being forced to choose among competing demands for food, home energy and healthcare. Families that are "food insecure" or "energy insecure" are more likely to have children in poorer health.
The report claims that the most effective economic recovery package will increase protection to vulnerable families and put money into the hands of people most likely to spend it quickly. The authors say that targeting individuals and families suffering from the consequences of the downturn and helping to stabilize and revitalize their communities may begin to reverse the health consequences of the recession.