A recent article in the Boston Globe examined how the economic climate is impacting healthcare. In the article, Reporter Lisa Wangsness cites a recent CNN poll that shows the economy as the most important issue currently facing the country, with healthcare coming in second. Despite the poll, Lisa states, “Many health policy specialists and political strategists say the two issues are inseparable in people’s minds.”

It’s no surprise that many people associate the two together. Changes in the economy directly impact healthcare access for individuals and families alike. With the unemployment rate rising, more families will continue to loose their healthcare insurance and will struggle as they take on the responsibility of paying for pricey healthcare premiums.

Furthermore, the impact for families who have children with chronic conditions – those who have an increased risk for a chronic physical, developmental, behavioral, or emotional condition requiring health and related services – can be devastating. Often these groups are the first to suffer during an economic downturn when ongoing medical attention and supervised care is essential. According to the Department of Health, this population faces medical costs approximately six times higher than those of children without chronic conditions.

From a PR perspective, economic recessions provide an opportune platform for organizations to address social issues such as healthcare and social security that are typically top of mind with many individuals. Organizations have an opportunity to voice how their product or service is helping people to get through these tough times. In some instances, it may be an education that you are providing to the public about how the recession is impacting a particular industry.

One of our clients, Seattle Children’s Hospital, is a great example of an organization that is proactively leveraging the recession to educate the public about children with special needs.

For example, during a recent lecture at the hospital, Dr. John Neff, director for Center for Children with Special Needs, illustrated how families with children who have special needs are significantly impacted during a recession and what the community can do to support this group.

Children’s also recently produced a podcast which examined the healthcare reform plans of former presidential nominee John McCain and President-elect Barack Obama. The podcast provides valuable information for parents looking for more specific information about how McCain and Obama’s policies would affect their healthcare coverage.

These are a few examples of how an organization like Children’s can effectively address social issues during a recession. To learn more about how you or your organization can have an active voice during the economic downturn, please contact us at (206) 282-4923. Alternatively, you can make a donation for Children’s here.