Understanding the impact of the economic crisis on child health: the case of Spain

International Journal for Equity in Health

Research

Luis Rajmil¹  David Taylor-Robinson²  Arjumand Siddiqi³  Nick Spencer⁴ 

[1] Agència de Qualitat i Avaluació Sanitàries de Catalunya, Roc Boronat 81-95 2nd Floor, 08005, Barcelona, Spain;IMIM (Institut Hospital del Mar de Recerca Biomèdica) Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain;Centro de Investigación Epidemiológica en Red de Epidemiolgìa y Salud Pública CIBERESP, Madrid, Spain;Clinical Senior Lecturer Department of Public Health and Policy, Whelan Building, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK;Divisions of Epidemiology and Social and Behavioral Sciences, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada;Department of Health Behavior, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA;Emeritus Professor of Child Health, Division of Mental Health and Wellbeing, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, CV4 9JD, Coventry, UK;86, Leicester Street, CV32 4 TB, Leamington Spa, UK;

关键词: Income Inequality;    Social Determinant;    Vulnerable Group;    National Health Interview Survey;    Social Protection;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12939-015-0236-1

 received in 2015-06-05, accepted in 2015-10-06,  发布年份 2015

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

IntroductionThe objectives of the study were to explore the effect of the economic crisis on child health using Spain as a case study, and to document and assess the policies implemented in response to the crisis in this context.MethodsSerial cross-sectional data from Eurostat, the Spanish Health Interview Survey, and the database of childhood hospitalisation were analysed to explore impacts on child health, and key determinants of child health. A content analysis of National data sources/government legislation, and Spanish literature was used to describe policies implemented following the crisis.ResultsUnemployment rates in the general population (8.7 % in 2005 and 25.6 % in 2013), and children living in unemployed families (5.6 % and 13.8 %) increased in the study period. The percentage of children living under the poverty line, and income inequalities increased 15–20 % from 2005 to 2012. Severe material deprivation rate has worsened in families with Primary Education, while the number of families attending Non-Governmental Organisations has increased. An impact on children’s health at the general population level has not currently been detected; however an impact on general health, mental health and use of healthcare services was found in vulnerable groups. Investment in social protection and public policy for children showed a reduction as part of austerity measures taken by the Spanish governments.ConclusionsDespite the impact on social determinants, a short-term impact on child health has been detected only in specific vulnerable groups. The findings suggest the need to urgently protect vulnerable groups of children from the impact of austerity.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© Rajmil et al. 2015