If you needed proof that having more of everything is bad for you, here it is.
New research shows that during economic depressions, mortality goes down and life expectancy goes up.
A study published this week in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences analyzed the economic growth and population health in the United States between 1920 and 1940, including the years of the Great Depression.
Researchers found that mortality declined and life expectancy increased during the Great Depression, as well as in the recessions of 1921 and 1938, compared with other years during that period. Suicides did increase during the Great Depression, but they made up less than 2 percent of deaths during that time.
The study showed that during the Great Depression, a year with a 5 percent drop in the gross domestic product was associated with a 1.9-year gain in life expectancy, while a 5 percent rise in the GDP lowered life expectancy by about one to two months.
Although the study came to no conclusions about why economic depression would lengthen life, theories include the fact that people tend to smoke and drink less and eat out and drive less often, improving general health. Another theory is that in poor economic times, people come together and support one another more, improving social support and thus affecting health and wellbeing.
“What a surprise,” said Gary Scott, lecturer and author of several health, wellness, and alternative financial publications. “Spend less time working and more time with family and friends and eating home cooking and you live longer. They needed a study to find that out?
“In fact, I know thousands of people who take matter into their own hands and actually improve their lives by creating their own “economic depression”. They simply move to a place where there is less stress, lower cost of living, and better, more natural food. There are places like that all over the world.”
Many Americans have already found the health benefits of more relaxed lifestyle, healthier food, and less economic stress by moving abroad. In addition to the health benefits, the actual cost of health care is lower in many places outside the U.S. as well.
You Might Also Enjoy
