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  Recession behind high cancer deaths

Recession behind high cancer deaths

Published : May 26, 2016, 3:00 am IST
Updated : May 26, 2016, 3:00 am IST

In a startling revelation, a new study published in the Lancet has revealed that unemployment and reduced public-sector health spending following the 2008 global economic crisis were associated with i

In a startling revelation, a new study published in the Lancet has revealed that unemployment and reduced public-sector health spending following the 2008 global economic crisis were associated with increased cancer mortality. The study estimated that the recent economic crisis was associated with over 2,60,000 additional cancer deaths in countries within the Organisation for Economic Development (OECD) by 2010, of which 1,60,000 were in the European Union.

Experts included several cancers in the analysis, including prostate cancer in men, breast cancer in women, colorectal cancer in men and women, and lung cancer in men and women. Cancers were classified as treatable (survival rates over 50 per cent) or untreatable (survival rates less than 10 per cent).

Significantly, the experts found that rises in unemployment were associated with an increase in deaths across all cancers but the association disappeared when universal health care was taken into account. The association between unemployment and cancer mortality was strongest for treatable cancers, and the authors say that this reinforces the importance of having access to care.

A 1 per cent increase in unemployment was associated with 0.37 additional deaths from all cancers per 1,00,000 people The study, which is the first global analysis to look at the effect of unemployment and changes in public-sector healthcare spending on cancer deaths, suggests universal health care coverage may protect patients from the health consequences of rising unemployment and reduced public-sector healthcare spending.

The study also found that cancer mortality increased as public health expenditure decreased.

A 1 per cent decrease in public healthcare spending as a percentage of GDP (gross domestic product) was associated with 0.0053 additional deaths from all cancers per 1,00,000 people.

“Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide so understanding how economic changes affect cancer survival is crucial,” says lead author Dr Mahiben Maruthappu from Imperial College London, UK.

“We found that increased unemployment was associated with increased cancer mortality, but that universal health coverage protected against these effects. This was especially the case for treatable cancers including breast, prostate and colorectal cancer.”

He adds: “We also found that public healthcare spending was tightly associated with cancer mortality – suggesting healthcare cuts could cost lives. If health systems experience funding constraints, this must be matched by efficiency improvements to ensure patients are offered the same level of care, regardless of economic environment or employment status.”

Cancer accounted for 8.2 million deaths in 2012, and the number of cases is expected to increase from 14 million in 2012 to 22 million in 2030. The economic crisis beginning in 2008 saw a substantial rise in unemployment, and caused many countries to cut public-sector health care spending. Several studies have shown the impact of these changes on mental and physical health – for instance increases in suicide or cardiovascular disease.

Location: India, Delhi, New Delhi