Bad Economy Might Be Good For High Blood Pressure

As the worsening economy puts increasing strain on people's pocketbooks, tough economic times may actually have overall health benefits. According to a recent article in the Los Angeles Times, researchers have found that tough economic periods seem to correspond to a decrease in deaths from diseases and conditions that are sensitive to lifestyle choices.

Deaths from high blood pressure, heart disease, and even car crashes fall as people worried about the economy eat, smoke, and drive less.

After examining a wealth of data from the United States and 23 developing nations, economics professor Christopher J. Ruhm, Ph.D., of the University of North Carolina, found that "deaths, overall...decrease when times turn bad." Ruhm argues that "the more that a cause of death affects primarily young people, the greater the effect of a shifting economy."