Opportunity Policy

Recessions and Health in the Time of Covid-19

This seminar examines the wide-ranging impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on population health. It specifically addresses the question: is there a tradeoff between public health policies to address the pandemic and the economy, both of which can affect health in different ways? This evidence-based seminar demonstrates that this is, in fact, a false choice. It argues that fear of contracting Covid-19 itself is a driver of a struggling economy. The seminar then covers optimal policy responses to the pandemic, keeping this key reality in mind.