The ‘Cost of Living Crisis’ and its effects on health: A qualitative study from the UK

OBJECTIVE The study explored the impacts of an economic crisis – the UK’s ‘cost of living crisis’ – on mental and physical health from the perspectives of people themselves. It also explored how people coping with this crisis, and as a secondary objective, explored if, and if so how, the COVID-19 pandemic was shaping, their experiences or views of the cost of living crisis.DESIGN This qualitative study consisted of online focus groups carried out between September 14th- 29th 2022. Data were analysed using a thematic approach.SETTING Focus groups took place via (Zoom) videoconferencing.PARTICIPANTS Participants (n= 28) were all UK adults, recruited as part of the Public Views during the Covid Pandemic (PVCOVID) study.RESULTS Most participants, and particularly those on low or insecure income or living in deprived communities, felt that the cost of living crisis was having negative impact on their mental and emotional health and wellbeing. Analysis generated five main themes, three related to why the cost of living crisis was affecting their health: (1) Anxiety over an uncertain future; (2) Worry about others; (3) A loss of control and two related to the ways in which people were coping, or trying to cope, with the crisis: (1) Resilience and Family and community support. CONCLUSIONS. This study found that the cost of living crisis is having significant impacts on health, particularly on the mental health of those on low- or insecure-incomes or from deprived communities. Further research and policy investment is needed to explore ways to provide emotional as well as practical/financial support for those most vulnerable to economic crises.