For example, rising unemployment may coincide with a reduction in pollution which, in turn, may have a positive health care effect. The two types of studies can be reconciled if, firstly, those who are directly affected by economic downturns (e.g. through unemployment) suffer direct negative health consequences, but that those who are not directly affected (e.g. the young and the old) benefit indirectly from recessions. Secondly, the gains among those who benefit must be greater than the losses among those who are adversely affected by the economic downturn.