The researchers from Imperial College London, estimated that the recent economic crisis was associated with over 260000 cancer deaths in countries within the Organisation for Economic Development (OECD) by 2010.
The Analysists look at the effect of unemployment and changes in public-sector health care spending on cancer deaths. Researches suggests universal health care coverage may protect patients from the health consequences due to rising unemployment and reduced health care spending.
“Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, so understanding how economic changes affect cancer survival is crucial” said lead author Dr Mahiben Maruthappu from Imperial college. “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 added, “We also found that public health-care spending was tightly associated with cancer mortality – suggesting health-care 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.”
Researchers used the data from the World Bank and World Health Organization to look at the link between unemployment, public health care spending and cancer mortality in over 70 countries. This study includes researchers from Harvard University, Oxford University, and King’s College London.
Co-author Professor Rifat Atun from Harvard University said, "Countries without universal health coverage, access to health care can often be provided via an employment package," . "Without employment, patients may be diagnosed late, and face poor or delayed treatment."
It only shows an association between unemployment and public-sector spending, and cannot prove cause and effect. The scientists said, “because they found a chronological correlation - changes in unemployment were then followed by changes in cancer mortality. It is probable that there is a causal link.”
- Mayuka.
