Tuberculosis, influenza, West Nile virus, transmitted diseases such as AIDS, pulmonary and dental diseases and mental illnesses such as depression, are the main health problems that the six-years recession in Greece has caused. Although the levels of life expectancy are still high, scientists estimate that they will remain stable or even fall within the next years.
According to a Eurofound report, published in January, the main causes for the rise of diseases in Greece are poverty and the limited access to the health care system. “As in the past, suicides have increased, while road accidents have declined. Unlike previous financial crises, some transmitted diseases, such as tuberculosis, influenza and sexually transmitted diseases have increased. The control of these diseases depends on prevention programs and targeted measures” marks the report.
As reported by the Hellenic Center for Disease Control and Prevention (KEELPNO), malaria and the West Nile virus reappeared in Greece in 2010, while HIV incidents have increased because of the collapse of the welfare system for drug addicts. Another recent study by Hellas Health V, presented by the Centre for Health Services Research of the Medical School of Athens University, Greece, showed that the disease of which more Greeks suffer is hypercholesterolemia (15.8%) that is associated with cardiovascular diseases and it is recorded in countries affected by crisis. The most common mental illnesses associated with the crisis are anxiety disorders (12.2%) and depression (9.4%).
Research from the National School of Public Health showed that there is a link between health problems and income. In 2013, the heath condition of chronic patients suffering from diabetes, hypertension and Alzheimer was aggravated while their incomes have been reduced by 30%.
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