Austerity and Health: the Impact in the UK and Europe

Overview

Journal Eur J Public Health

Publisher Oxford University Press

Specialty Public Health

Date 2017 Oct 14

PMID 29028245

Citations 97

Authors

David Stuckler

Aaron Reeves

Rachel Loopstra

Marina Karanikolos

Martin Mckee

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Austerity measures-reducing social spending and increasing taxation-hurts deprived groups the most. Less is known about the impact on health. In this short review, we evaluate the evidence of austerity's impact on health, through two main mechanisms: a 'social risk effect' of increasing unemployment, poverty, homelessness and other socio-economic risk factors (indirect), and a 'healthcare effect' through cuts to healthcare services, as well as reductions in health coverage and restricting access to care (direct). We distinguish those impacts of economic crises from those of austerity as a response to it. Where possible, data from across Europe will be drawn upon, as well as more extensive analysis of the UK's austerity measures performed by the authors of this review.

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