WHO: Economic crisis threatens life expectancy in Europe

WHO's European Health Report 2012 reveals that while Europeans are living longer lives, the trend could be reversed due to the economic crisis forcing governments to cut spending on health.

The World Health Organization report covers 53 countries including eastern European and central Asia countries. The Global Post reported that the region covered includes "nine of the 10 countries with the highest life expectancy in the world." According to To Vima the report states "One possible scenario that threatens the increase in life expectancy in Europe is economic or social crisis combined with spending cuts in health" exacerbated by the economic crisis. Austerity is already forcing drastic cuts in health spending in Mediterranean countries under Troika diktats. Digital Journal reported heart attack rates in Greece have risen in direct correlation with the country's economic crisis. Spain, currently the country with Europe’s longest life expectancy, is now experiencing government cuts to public health spending.