The Zoomer Report: The economy and health

Are you worried about the economy? Will that affect your health? The answer is yes, but not in ways you might expect. It depends on your health habits when times are good.

Studies suggest that people tend not to take care of themselves in boom times — drinking too much, dining on fat-laden restaurant meals and skipping exercise and doctors’ appointments because of work-related time commitments.

Recent American market research found that 53 percent of consumers said they were cooking from scratch more than they did just six months before — in part, no doubt, because of the rising cost of prepared foods.

A surprising paper called Are Recessions Good for Your Health? found that death rates declined sharply in the 1974 and 1982 recessions, and increased in the economic recovery of the 1980s. The issue that matters most in an economic crisis is whether there is an adequate health safety net available to those who have lost their jobs and insurance, which means Canadians should fare better than Americans in a slump.

Photo ©iStockphoto.com/ Yvonne Chamberlain

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About The Zoomer Report

Libby Znaimer, a prominent Canadian journalist specializing in business, politics, and lifestyle issues, is producer and host of The Zoomer Report, a special feature on topics of interest to baby boomers and the 50+. It covers everything from health and wealth to leisure and volunteerism, from the special vantage point of the generation that has changed society in its wake.

Ms. Znaimer is also Vice-President of News and Information for Classical 96.3FM and AM740. Her first book, “In Cancerland – Living Well Is The Best Revenge” – was published in October 2007 by Key Porter.

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