Impact of the financial crisis on COPD burden: Greece as a case study

Abstract

Poverty and low socioeconomic status have been associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The current financial crisis has forced millions back into poverty. Greece is one of the countries hit the hardest, and is in the middle of a deep ongoing collapse. There have been early reports stating the apparent effects of the Greek downturn on respiratory health. This review summarises the overall impact of the financial crisis on COPD burden throughout the period of economic downturn by analysing the case study of Greece. In all levels of the healthcare system, current economic restrictions have reduced the capacity to prevent, diagnose and treat COPD in parallel with current higher detection rates of COPD. Remarkably, expenditure on healthcare has been reduced by >25%, resulting in major healthcare equipment shortages. Lower wages (by up to 20%) and higher co-payments of up to 25% of a drug's purchase price have led to patients struggling to afford inhaled medications. Treatment nonadherence has been reported, resulting in 11.5% more exacerbations and 14.1% more hospitalisations annually, while the mean cost per severe COPD exacerbation has been approximated as €2600. Greece is a noteworthy example illustrating how COPD burden, quality of care and patients' outcome can be affected by economic crisis.

Socio-demographic factors of COPD mortality in India

“…12 During economic downturn, Greece witnessed a hike in non-adherence of treatment, frequent exacerbations and more hospitalizations. 31 In fact, provisions like spirometry and opinion from pulmonologists are lacking at the level of primary care in our country, thereby rendering the care to the COPD patients suboptimal. 32 Probably a high number of cases remain undiagnosed, too, warranting a change in policy level for making spirometry available at the primary care setting for addressing the unmet needs in health care.…”

Time trends for pulmonary embolism incidence in Greece

“…In Greece, early reports have shown negative consequences of financial crisis on public health, and notably on respiratory health. The impact of the Greek downturn on respiratory health was obvious although most studies applied data covering only the first years of the crisis and reported its' short-term outcomes [11].…”

Time for more evidence: a scoping review of the effects of sanctions on Iranian health

“…[17] Multiple studies demonstrate similar results in different countries. For example cancer care for children in Iraq [47][48][49], importation of medical supply for treatment of diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer in Syria [50],burden of acute myocardial infarction in Italy, [51] surgical care in California [52],COPD burden in Greece [53], and even health care utilization in America [54] have been affected by economic sanction and economic recessions.…”