Confirmed: Government dependence can be deadly

Came across this bit of disturbing info about the economic situation in Europe via Twitter today: People in Greece are literally dying for a welfare check these days:

The recession has widened the health divide between Europe's rich and poor, a major review has revealed.

The impact of recession is clear in countries with the most severe economic problems. In Greece, for example, suicides rose by 17 per cent and murder rates more than doubled between 2007 and 2011. Half of new HIV infections between 2009 and 2011 are estimated to have been self-inflicted to secure monthly benefits of €700.

Michael Marmot at University College London, who co-wrote the report for the World Health Organization, warns that the inequities threaten the long-term health of future generations unless governments take action to reverse cuts in health spending.