The Social and Economic Effects of Deterioration in Health: ‘Naked-eye ’ Evidence from a European Panel Survey

ocial solidarity and cohesion are often extolled and frequently theorized. Especially in times of hardship the mechanisms of social solidarity by providing help where that is needed comprise the social safety net. Much of the literature comparing and contrasting the European and US experiences of growth models lay stress on the key importance of European Social safety nets as a factor differentiating Europe and explaining some of the salient differences.1 Similarly, within Europe, important streams of literature concern themselves with providing typologies of Welfare states and systems. 2 S To complement this theoretical difference it is important to see the mobilization of social reserves in action as applied to individuals. To examine, in other words, concrete cases where social support systems are called to serve an apparent and indisputable need. This paper examines one particular class of such events, where a clear instance of need arises, in order to discern what responses are called forth. The same event is examined in a random sample of cases across Europe in order to try to discern patterns of similarity and difference of response in different institutional (and national settings). The case of ‘need ’ examined is that of the onset of sudden and serious illness in older individuals (between 50 and 80) across Europe. Such cases would certainly fulfil any definitions of ‘deserving need’, while the fact that information is available on specific individuals identified to have suffered serious deterioration in their health status between the two waves of panel survey allows us to correlate responses and consequences in a systematic manner. In doing so, it i