The effect of recessions on health

ScienceBlog 8/31:

Paradoxically, mortality rates during economic recessions in developed countries decline rather than increase. [...]

Studies show that unemployment can be bad for people's health, yet smoking, excessive alcohol consumption and overeating decline during recessions with beneficial impacts on health. Perhaps even more importantly when unemployment rates soar, people have more time for friends and family (especially children) which results in lower mortality.