This important new study reviewed two key measures of health between 1929-1932.

• Life expectancy
• Number of deaths from disease, accidents and infant mortality
• Gender and race

The findings note that the relationship between economic downs and health improvements have been found in other countries.

Reuters Life

“Economic downturns may not be good for your bottom line but they might be a boon to your health, according to a study on health trends during the 20 years around the Great Depression.

“Researchers from the University of Michigan found U.S. life expectancy increased by 6 years between 1929 and 1932, from 57 to 63, with the increase occurring for both men and women and for whites and non-whites.

“The number of deaths from disease, accidents and infant mortality during the Great Depression also fell.

“The finding is strong and counterintuitive,” said researcher Jose Tapia Granados from the university’s Institute for Social Research. “Most people assume that periods of high unemployment are harmful to health.”

“The findings, published on Monday in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, add to previous research showing correlations between economic woes and health improvements in various countries.”

Source: Reuters Life, September 28, 2009

Citation: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, September 28, 2009