Austerity and health: the impact in the UK and Europe

• Published in: European journal of public health Vol. 27; no. suppl_4; pp. 18 - 21
• Main Authors: Stuckler, David, Reeves, Aaron, Loopstra, Rachel, Karanikolos, Marina, McKee, Martin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Oxford University Press 01-10-2017
• Subjects: Delivery of Health Care - economics; Economic Recession; Food Supply; Health Policy - economics; Health Services Accessibility; Healthcare Disparities; Healthcare Financing; Homeless Persons; Humans; Mental Disorders; Protective Factors; Public Health; Supplement Papers; Unemployment
• ISSN: 1101-1262; 1464-360X
• DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckx167

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.