Health
Pandemic planners urged to consider economic ramifications
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted April 9, 2007
A severe pandemic flu outbreak could lead to a major U.S. recession, says a new report by the Trust for America's Health, a nonprofit public health watchdog organization in Washington, D.C. The group estimates that the U.S. gross domestic product could drop more than 5.5%, leading to an estimated $683 billion loss.
States with high levels of tourism and entertainment could be affected the most, the report states, with Nevada's economy taking the biggest hit with a GDP loss of more than 8%.
States with government and real estate as major industries could have the lowest losses. Washington, D.C., could fare the best, but still face a 4.6% decline.
"While important government preparedness efforts focusing mainly on medical and public health strategies are under way, efforts to prepare for the possible economic ramifications have been seriously inadequate," said Jeff Levi, PhD, the trust's executive director.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2007/04/09/hlbf0409.htm.
