Study: Weak Economy Bad For Public Health

 
BOSTON — A new study is calling for a large-scale public health campaign in Massachusetts to stop unhealthy behaviors that appear to be caused by the weak economy.

Researchers with the New England Healthcare Institute, which did the study, say the recession is forcing Massachusetts residents to make financial decisions that hurt their heath...

..The report calls on a dozen sectors — from schools to employers to doctors — to work together to fight preventable chronic diseases. The study, funded by the Boston Foundation, recommends initiatives such as reimbursing doctors for promoting healthy behaviors, eliminating non-nutritious foods in schools, and ending the sales tax exemption for snack foods.