Are there Health Effects of an Economic Crisis? Conflicting Evidence andMurky Definitions

Abstract

Both suicide and economic crisis as terms are defined differently in scientific studies. Suicides before the crisis have several causes and would continue to occur during a crisis. The proportion of such suicides during a crisis is unknown. Calculating these suicides as part of the purported economic crisis-induced suicides may exaggerate the increase in the suicide rate. Inadequate registration of suicides has been changed during the crisis with increased focus on health effects of a recession. Several years may pass before the economic crisis to make people conclude with a wish to and an act of committing suicide. Economic growth periods correlate negatively with mortality. This commentary attempts to illustrate such conflicting evidence.