Mortality and fluctuations in macroeconomic activity in New Zealand

CONCLUSION: Mortality exhibits both short-run procyclical and long-run countercyclical features. Accelerated reductions in elderly mortality during periods of rising unemployment are consistent with overseas evidence that tight labour markets have negative impacts on aged care. However, further research is necessary to uncover the causal channels, if any, that underpin this correlation in New Zealand data. Long-run variation in mortality due to violence, such as assaults and suicide, is closely linked to employment conditions, indicating that policy responses to violence and suicide should not preclude addressing a potential lack of employment opportunities.PMID:33927423
Source: New Zealand Medical Journal - Category: General Medicine Authors: Source Type: research