Are Recessions Good For Our Health?

Opportunity in Crisis? Although the Great Depression made have had a severe impact on the American economy, the crisis was actually good for U.S. health, according to a new study. The findings offer a silver lining for today's financial crisis. StockPhoto

From Discovery News:

Sept. 28, 2009 -- The name seems to say it all. The Great Depression was bad all around, wasn't it? Maybe not.

New findings show that the Great Depression was actually good for U.S. health. Annual death rates declined during years of downturn and increased in years of expansion.

The findings could offer a silver lining to today's financial crisis.

The results reinforce earlier research showing recessions reduce mortality, but researchers didn't know whether the effect would hold through a full blown economic meltdown like the Great Depression.

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