A case study contained within a lengthy World Health Organization report reviewing the health inequities among European countries says Greeks may be contracting HIV intentionally in order to go on public assistance.
According to the “case study” contained in the report “Review of social determinants and the health divide in the WHO European Region: final report,” while suicides, homicide, and thefts increased during the Greek economic crisis, so too did the rate of HIV infection — about half of which the report says were likely self-inflicted to obtain benefits.
“Suicides rose by 17% between 2007 and 2009 and to 25% in 2010, according to unofficial 2010 data (398),” the case study reads. “The Minister of Health reported a further 40% rise in the first half of 2011 compared with the same period in 2010. Suicide attempts have also increased, particularly among people reporting economic distress (610). Homicide and theft rates have doubled.
