The Recession: economic forces and individual health
Monday, March 9th, 2009
More of this?
We may often think that our health and well-being is largely a matter of individual choice, or perhaps it is the result of the hand dealt to us by fate or our genes. However, when we look at the health of populations, social and economic forces can be seen to be highly influential.
One of the few sectors that seems to be thriving in the current recession is that of fast food outlets. Kentucky Fried Chicken and Subway have recently announced plans for new outlets and Dominos Pizzas are doing well. Similarly Cadburys announced healthy profits thanks to chocolate bar sales and the press has carried stories of a rise in the sale of ‘comfort foods’ such as treacle pudding. Will the economic downturn contribute to our ever increasing waist measurements and all the risks of heart disease, diabetes and other negative health impacts that ensue?
On the other hand the demand for allotments is high and the National Trust has announced that it will be making land available to allow more people to grow their own vegetables. So perhaps as a result of the recession we are facing the prospect of better health for some and worse for others. Now we need to know why are some people reaching for their spades whilst others are dialling for their pizza delivery?