Why recessions are good for our health

Honest, more people die during economic expansions than recessions. Economists aren’t sure why but they have theories, according to a paper by the National Bureau of Economic Research. More working hours during good times may mean we don’t exercise as much and eat less healthy food. In recessions traffic and pollution are lower, possibly improving health outcomes. Another theory holds that work is stressful and consequently harms our health (but unemployment is pretty stressful too, so I’m not sure about that one). Alternatively, in good economic times it is harder to fill many health care jobs, which may compromise the quality of health care. Interesting speculation.