211626 Subprime public health

Tuesday, November 10, 2009: 11:30 AM

Hillel W. Cohen, MPH, DrPH , Epidemiology and Population Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY
  
Even the bankers now admit that the deregulation of the investment and banking industries triggered the world-wide economic collapse. While some banks and corporations have received billions in bailouts, layoffs and foreclosures continue. Whether the Dow Jones goes up or down, as long as profits are privatized and costs are socialized, the real income and living standards of working people, and consequently their health status are at risk. Re-establishing regulations and restraints on free market excesses and scams will help, but as long as the government is dominated by the financial giants and their representatives, the boom and bust cycles and new rip-offs will continue to destroy the health and well-being of the great majority of people in the U.S. and the world.

Learning Objectives:
1) Describe how the worldwide economic crisis was triggered by deregulation of the housing and other finance markets and the impact of the crisis on public health 2) Explain the underlying systemic causes of economic crises under capitalism and why regulation alone cannot prevent them 3) Analyze the systemic changes necessary to insure adequate public health

Keywords: Economic Analysis, Social Justice

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: Associate Professor of Epidemiology and Population Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine. One of the earliest critics of the bioterrorism preparedness programs; author of articles and book chapters on the politics of influenza and an author of a handbook on economics for workers. Presented at successful APHA panels at past meetings.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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