'Recessions Hurt, but Austerity Kills': Study
http://www.businessinsider.com/recessions-hurt-but-austerity-kills-study-2013-5
***SNIP
"We've looked at different types of fiscal multipliers and found that public health has one of the largest fiscal multipliers of up to 3 euros return for every one euro invested, whereas other forms of spending such as defense and bank bailouts tend to flow out of the economy leading to trade deficits."
Stuckler's comments come as European leaders meeting in Brussels on Wednesday appeared to be turning away from austerity policies by announcing programs to boost employment and growth. The reversal may be too late for some healthcare systems such as Greece's, which has seen money for some departments cut by up to 50 percent.
Stuckler's research adds to a growing body of evidence of rising suicides, alcoholism and disease in parts of Europe that have been hard hit by fiscal austerity. "Recession hurts but austerity kills," Stuckler said, citing Greece as "one of the worst cases in the middle of a public health disaster."
Stuckler's research found a 200 percent increase in HIV infections in Greece after HIV-prevention budgets were cut as part of a 40 percent reduction in the Greek healthcare budget. Malaria too has returned to southern Greece,though it had previously been eradicated in the 1970s, Stuckler said.
Read more:
http://www.cnbc.com/id/100760796#ixzz2U74qp9kA