Geopolitics, economics, populism, militarism, climate change … whatever it might be and wherever it is coming from, powerful Globalnomic® trend dynamics will deepen the Greatest Depression.
In fact, two studies recently released show that stress over money is making millions of Americans sick. And you can be sure, that it extends far beyond U.S. soil.
The Panic of ‘08 is Still Being Felt
A new perspective on the impact of the Great Recession has been generated by a study from the Association for Psychological Science.
The 2008 economic collapse put a massive dent in financial stability for millions of Americans. And the effect was more than just lost jobs and reduced income.
Those who suffered hardship from the economic decline were more likely to experience lasting mental health issues including anxiety, drug use, and depression.
Researchers say these mental health issues are still evident years after the recession ended.
A new study published last week reveals alarming news: from 1999 to 2016 the suicide rate of Americans ages 25-64 has jumped 41 percent.
Forty-one percent!
Not surprisingly, the biggest factor was the growing poverty rate, particularly in rural areas of western states and in Appalachia and the Ozarks where there is more social isolation and difficulties accessing mental health services.
The #1 worry?
Millions have cited the high cost of health care stresses them out most, which then leads to more health problems.
The poorer they become the less health care they can afford.
Clearly, that is a major reason why Medicare for all ranks at the top of the promise list from Democratic candidates running in the 2020 Presidential Reality Show.
For example, of Americans aged 25-45, three in four surveyed reported taking “risky” actions to save money on medical expenses.
More specifically, 33 percent delayed seeking medical help in the hope their condition would just go away; 27 percent considered avoiding medical attention due to high deductibles, and 22 percent scheduled a medical appointment, but never showed after considering the bill.
The impact on people’s lives spreads beyond physical health issues and is negatively affecting relationships.
Thirty-five percent of respondents cited stress over money has affected their relationship with a spouse or significant other.
Another 26 percent said financial concerns have harmed close friendships and have negatively affected their performance at work.
The situation is so bad, many of those surveyed said they had purposely taken less than the recommended dose of a medication in order to prolong the time before having to pay to have it refilled.
Almost half the people said high medical costs were causing them to skip seeking treatment altogether.
Older Americans are also feeling the financial squeeze over health care. Sixty-nine percent admitted one of their top fears in retirement is generating medical bills they won’t be able to pay.
That the widening gap between the wealthy and the poor in the U.S. is a health issue is not opinion, but fact.
Wealthy Americans can now expect to live up to 15 years longer than their poor counterparts, reports in the British medical journal The Lancet.
And a 2016 study in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) found the richest 1 percent of women live more than a decade longer than the poorest 1 percent of women.
PUBLISHER’S NOTE: How to prepare for the Greatest Depression?
It starts with you. It starts with all of us.
Games over, Fights on.
Again, “Think for Yourself.”
Step #1, as I see it, it’s very important to get in the best shape you can physically, emotionally and spiritually … I’m not talking about religion. That’s your own trip and there are over 4,000 faith or belief systems to follow.
I’m talking about who you are, what you want to be, and how to become more enlightened and do better.
Prepare-Prevail-Prosper.