We welcome the interest in our analysis of the health effects of the Greek economic crisis. Fountoulakis and Theodorakis critique our paper but their choice of data is selective and misleading. First, by contrast with their claims, the latest available data from the Hellenic Centre for Disease Control show that tuberculosis incidence is rising (appendix), including in people of Greek origin. Second, they contend that rising HIV infections are "almost entirely" driven by intravenous drug users; we also noted the importance of this group but also the near tripling of infections without a transmission mode classification between 2010 and 2012, suggesting possible miscoding across other categories. Third, they cite preliminary estimates of suicide rates suggesting that there was a significant decrease in 2012. The official data by the Hellenic Statistical Authority show a 6.5% increase compared with 2011.Fourth, we agree that the important issue is not the magnitude of the cut to health-care spending per se but its effect on health-care access and quality. For example, we have previously noted that budget reductions have been accompanied by a 47% increase in unmet healthcare needs. Indeed, in a recent speech in the Greek Parliament, the Minister of Health conceded that between 2 million and 3 million people-ie, 18-27% of the Greek population-now lack health insurance.
展开▼
