The study published in the Journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that the younger adults of age group below 65 (who needed jobs) and older homeowners of age group above 65 (who witnessed the housing market crash) were the ones that were severely impacted. This economic stress led to an increase in blood pressure as well as blood glucose levels. The impact was much more significant among those on medication, indicating the Great Recession took an enormous toll on those who were already on medication.
The finding was based on the study done by using large data sets from Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis that were accumulated before and after the catastrophic event. The study included 4,600 participants of age 45-84 years old.
Though the country has recovered from the Great Recession that swallowed more than 8 million jobs and deprived thousands of their homes, the scars remain. The latest report by the Bureau of Labour Statistics found that the rate of unemployment in the U.S. at the end of 2017 was 4.1%. This is the lowest since the recession.
A survey conducted by Rutgers University in 2013 revealed that the Great Recession had impacted one in three people in the U.S.
While many still recall the time with dismay, the long-term effects of the Great Recession are yet to make itself apparent as we move into a new age of e-commerce and trillion-dollar giants.