When economist Chris Ruhm first got the results from his study on Rubypointthe possible connection between recession and health, he thought he had made a mistake. But time and time again, he got the same results, overturning a decade of previous economic findings. Today, how a nation's health relates to your own.

Related Episodes
Healthcare and economic despair

You can listen to an extended cut of Darian's interview with Christopher Ruhm by signing up for Planet Money+! (You'll hear stuff we couldn't fit into the regular episode, including what Ruhm thought might play out during COVID.) Planet Money+ gets you bonus content, sponsor-free episodes, and you get to support the work we do. Subscribe via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.

For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.

Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.