Measuring mental health in a cost-of-living crisis: a rapid review

Since 2021, the UK has experienced a sharp rise in inflation. For most people, wages and welfare payments have not kept up with rising costs, leading to a cost-of-living crisis. There is evidence drawn from longitudinal epidemiological studies indicating that economic crises are damaging to population mental health and that some groups are particularly vulnerable. Consequently, public health responses to the cost-of-living crisis should be able to assess the impact of the policies on mental health. The aims of the review are to 1) identify and appraise available population-level measures and methods for assessing the impact on mental health of any public health response to the cost-of-living crisis and 2) review the appropriateness of the measures for specific, vulnerable populations.

Read the full report

This report has also been published in Health Policy Journal, June 2024, available to view here.