Effects of the 2008 global financial crisis on population health

We compare the transmission channels through which the 2008 global financial crisis affected health. We find that postponing or skipping visits to the doctor after falling ill and stopping buying regular medication had the strongest negative effects on health, followed by a reduced consumption of staple foods, utilities being cut, being forced to move, and having to sell assets. In comparison, experiencing cuts in TV, phone, and internet services, as well as delaying payments for utilities had relatively weaker negative impacts. In contrast, having a household head or household member lose a job also had negative effects on health status, although this effect was relatively lower. Finally, a reduced flow of remittances had the weakest negative effect.