How prevention of violence in childhood builds healthier economies and smarter children in the Asia and Pacific region

Fry, Deborah; Blight, Stephen

doi:10.1136/bmjgh-2016-000188

Cited by 14 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 26 publications

(28 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Several studies have demonstrated the burden of early experiences of violence on health and other outcomes. Fry and Blight 16 recently found that different types of violence experienced during childhood contributes significantly to proportions of mental disorders in the Asia and Pacific region. The study also found that preventing VAC could help to reduce a wide range of risk behaviours (eg, teenage pregnancy in girls and use of illicit drugs in adolescence and adulthood).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Violence against children in South Africa: the cost of inaction to society and the economy

et al. 2018

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Despite the extent and magnitude of violence against children in South Africa, political and financial investments to prevent violence against children remain low. A recent costing study investigating the social burden and economic impact of violence against children in South Africa found notable reductions to mental and physical health outcomes in the population if children were prevented from experiencing violence, neglect and witnessing family violence. The results showed, among others, that drug abuse in the entire population could be reduced by up to 14% if sexual violence against children could be prevented, self-harm could be reduced by 23% in the population if children did not experience physical violence, anxiety could be reduced by 10% if children were not emotionally abused, alcohol abuse could be reduced by 14% in women if they did not experience neglect as children, and lastly, interpersonal violence in the population could be reduced by 16% if children did not witness family violence. The study further estimated that the cost of inaction in 2015 amounted to nearly 5% of the country’s gross domestic product. These findings show that preventing children from experiencing and witnessing violence can help to strengthen the health of a nation by ensuring children reach their full potential and drive the country’s economy and growth. The paper further discusses ways in which preventing and ending violence against children may be prioritised in South Africa through, for instance, intersectoral collaboration and improving routine monitoring data, such as through the sustainable development goals.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Violence against children in South Africa: the cost of inaction to society and the economy

et al. 2018

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Previous burden of violence against children studies have found significant impacts on children’s and adults’ mental and physical health, employment and education, as well as increasing risk factors for experiencing other forms of violence [ 1 ]. A burden study in the East Asia and Pacific region found that violence against children costs the region 2% of their GDP [ 2 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Economic Burden of Violence against Children in South Africa

Fang

Zheng

Fry

et al. 2017

IJERPH

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The purpose of this study was to estimate the economic burden of violence against children in South Africa. We assembled summative estimates of lifetime prevalence, calculated the magnitude of associations with negative outcomes, and thereby estimated the economic burden of violence against children. According to our calculations, 2.3 million and 84,287 disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) lost in South Africa in 2015 were attributable to nonfatal and fatal violence against children, respectively. The estimated economic value of DALYs lost to violence against children (including both fatal and nonfatal) in South Africa in 2015 totalled ZAR173 billion (US $13.5 billion)—or 4.3% of South Africa’s gross domestic product (GDP) in 2015. In addition, the reduced earnings attributable to childhood physical violence and emotional violence in South Africa in 2015 were ZAR25.2 billion (US $2.0 billion) and ZAR9.6 billion (US $750 million), respectively. In addition, South Africa spent ZAR1.6 billion (US $124 million) on child care and protection in fiscal year 2015/2016, many of which costs are directly related to violence against children. This study confirms the importance of prioritising violence against children as a key social and economic concern for South Africa’s future.

show abstract

“…High-quality birth-to-five programs for disadvantaged children can deliver a 13% per year return on investment (García, Heckman, Leaf, & Prados, 2016). Another review has shown that violence against children in China can lead to health consequences and productivity losses that may cost the country upwards of $101 billion U.S., equal to 1.7% of GDP (Fang et al, 2015;Fry & Blight, 2016).…”

Section: Returns On Investmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In highincome countries, exposure to violence is associated with reduced intellectual functioning and academic achievement (Gilbert et al, 2009;Jonson-Reid, Drake, Kim, Porterfield, & Han, 2004;Lansford et al, 2002). Violence against children may reduce learning and behavioral, social, and emotional functioning (Fry & Blight, 2016).…”

Section: Returns On Investmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

What could cognitive capital mean for China's children?

Noble¹,

Martin²,

Qin³

et al. 2017

PsyCh Journal

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Cognitive capital is an emerging paradigm that captures the criticality of investing in children whilst neural proliferation and development of brain architecture are at their peak. Distinct from financial capital, cognitive capital represents investment in future human potential from interventions in nutrition, health, education, child protection, and social welfare systems that optimize brain development. The return on investment is significant given the plasticity of the developing brain in response to positive stimuli. Investment in brain development results in improved health and well-being, educational outcomes, skills, employment, and quality of life. The inverse is also true. Negative stimuli lead to depreciating cognitive capital, poorer mental and physical health and educational outcomes, and decreased life chances. Cognitive capital could be an organizing framework for China's next phase of development to ensure the building of a prosperous society. Through significant commitment from the government, China has seen remarkable improvements in under-five mortality, literacy rates, access to basic education, life expectancy, and gross domestic product in the past few decades as the result of an expansion of publicly funded social services. Yet, inequities remain within and across communities and regions. In 2015, China had a country ranking of 97 for gross national income per capita, highlighting remaining challenges across the whole population. Cognitive capital relies on a package of forward-looking policies that lead to equitable, efficient, and effective use of existing and future resources. This is consistent with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Investments in interventions that maximize optimal brain development in children, realize children's rights, and contribute to future economic growth, defined as "cognitive capital," represent a significant opportunity for improving children's lives, nation-building, and future economic growth in China.

show abstract

How prevention of violence in childhood builds healthier economies and smarter children in the Asia and Pacific region

Cited by 14 publications

References 26 publications

Violence against children in South Africa: the cost of inaction to society and the economy

Violence against children in South Africa: the cost of inaction to society and the economy

The Economic Burden of Violence against Children in South Africa

What could cognitive capital mean for China's children?

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About