全球金融危機與台灣精神類藥物處方關聯性研究 The Association between the Global Financial Crisis and Prescriptions

摘要
　　2008年全球金融風暴對台灣金融經濟造成重大影響，民眾遭逢環境遽變心理面是否也產生變化，是醫療與保險業重視的課題。本研究利用台灣台中榮民總醫院2005-2010年期間門診抗憂鬱與安眠鎮靜藥物使用狀況分析精神類藥物處方與全球金融危機的關聯性。研究發現45-64歲群組男性和女性在2008年和2009年比2010年有顯著較高精神類藥物支出，這意謂中年工作者可能對金融衝擊更敏感。我們建議政府應該提供正式和非正式的社會服務，以減輕受經濟環境劇烈變化引起的焦慮、失眠、憂鬱等醫療需求。
關鍵詞：金融危機、憂鬱、藥費支出
Abstract
　　The 2008 financial crisis hugely affected the economy of Taiwan. People in the rapidly changing environment were under enormous mental strain, and even showed symptoms of disease, which is an important issue for health care and insurance. This study investigates the relationship between the economic crisis and the mental and physical health of adults in Taiwan. It was found that both males and females aged 45-64 had significantly higher mean drug costs for psychoactive medication prescriptions during 2008 and 2009 than during 2010, indicating that middle aged workers were more sensitive to the shock. The results suggest that the government should provide formal and informal social services to mitigate the predicted increase in medical help due to anxiety, insomnia, and depression caused by the acute uncertainty in the current economic environment.
Keywords: financial crisis, depression, drug expense