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

What is it about?

Poverty and low socioeconomic status have been associated with chronic diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The current financial crisis forced millions back into poverty. Greece is one of the countries hit the hardest, being in the middle of a deep ongoing collapse. This review summarizes the overall impact of financial crisis on COPD burden throughout the period of economic downturn analyzing the case study of Greece. Overall, in all levels of healthcare system, current economic restrictions have reduced the capacity to prevent, diagnose and treat COPD. Greece is a noteworthy example illuminating how COPD burden, quality of care and patients’ outcome can hardly be affected by economic crisis.

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