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The 2008 Financial Crisis and Changes in Lifestyle-Related Behaviors in Italy, Greece, Spain, and Portugal: A Systematic Review

Author

Listed:
  • Monica Sane Schepisi

    (National Institute for Health, Migration and Poverty (INMP), 00153 Rome, Italy
    Ministry of Health—General Directorate for Health Prevention, 00144 Rome, Italy
    Equally contributed.)

  • Anteo Di Napoli

    (National Institute for Health, Migration and Poverty (INMP), 00153 Rome, Italy
    Equally contributed.)

  • Rosario Asciutto

    (National Institute for Health, Migration and Poverty (INMP), 00153 Rome, Italy
    Equally contributed.)

  • Simona Vecchi

    (Department of Epidemiology—Lazio Region, ASL Rome 1, 00147 Rome, Italy
    Equally contributed.)

  • Concetta Mirisola

    (National Institute for Health, Migration and Poverty (INMP), 00153 Rome, Italy
    Equally contributed.)

  • Alessio Petrelli

    (National Institute for Health, Migration and Poverty (INMP), 00153 Rome, Italy
    Equally contributed.)

Abstract

Italy, Greece, Spain, and Portugal have all been strongly affected by the 2008 financial crisis, which has had a negative impact on health. We systematically evaluated the effects of the crisis on lifestyle and socioeconomic inequalities. We conducted a literature search using MEDLINE, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and health economics databases for studies reporting quantitative comparisons before and after (or during) the crisis on the following risk behaviors: alcohol consumption, smoking habit, healthy diet, physical activity, and psychotropic drugs and substance abuse, without setting any age restrictions. We selected 34 original articles published between 2011 and 2020. During/after the crisis, alcohol consumption and substance abuse decreased, while psychotropic drug use increased. We also observed a deterioration in healthy eating behavior, with a reduction in fruit and vegetable consumption. Smoking habit and physical activity showed a more complex, controversial trend. Socioeconomic inequalities were affected by the recession, and the negative effects on unhealthy lifestyle tended to be more pronounced among the disadvantaged. These results suggest the need to implement health policies and interventions aimed at monitoring risk behaviors, with special regard to disadvantaged people, and considering the potential additional impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Suggested Citation

  • Monica Sane Schepisi & Anteo Di Napoli & Rosario Asciutto & Simona Vecchi & Concetta Mirisola & Alessio Petrelli, 2021. "The 2008 Financial Crisis and Changes in Lifestyle-Related Behaviors in Italy, Greece, Spain, and Portugal: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-35, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:16:p:8734-:d:617109
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    References listed on IDEAS

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