Economic Crisis Has Made Europeans and Americans Less Likely to Visit the Doctor

http://www.wiley.com/WileyCDA/PressRelease/pressReleaseId-110198.html

February 03, 2014

The global economic crisis has wrought havoc to economies on both sides of the Atlantic, but new research in Social Science Quarterly suggests it has also made both North Americans and Europeans more reluctant to seek out routine medical care.

“The global economic crisis, weakened national economies and household finances globally,” said Dr Annamaria Lusardi from George Washington University. “These economic conditions can have effects in many areas, including health.”

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More than a quarter, 26.5 percent, of American respondents have reduced their use of routine medical care since the economic crisis. This was a greater amount than the 5.6 percent of Canadians, the 7.6 percent of Britons, 10.3 percent of Germans, or the 12 percent of French respondents.

As a nation lacking universal healthcare, it may come as no surprise that the reduction is greater in the U.S. However, the authors show that even in European nations with more inclusive health care systems, additional costs such as prescriptions are deterring the public from seeking routine care.