Impact of the 2008 Economic and Financial Crisis on Child Health: A Systematic Review

Abstract

The aim of this study was to provide an overview of studies in which the impact of the 2008 economic crisis on child health was reported. Structured searches of PubMed, and ISI Web of Knowledge, were conducted. Quantitative and qualitative studies reporting health outcomes on children, published since 2007 and related to the 2008 economic crisis were included. Two reviewers independently assessed studies for inclusion. Data were synthesised as a narrative review. Five hundred and six titles and abstracts were reviewed, from which 22 studies were included. The risk of bias for quantitative studies was mixed while qualitative studies showed low risk of bias. An excess of 28,000–50,000 infant deaths in 2009 was estimated in sub-Saharan African countries, and increased infant mortality in Greece was reported. Increased price of foods was related to worsening nutrition habits in disadvantaged families worldwide. An increase in violence against children was reported in the U.S., and inequalities in health-related quality of life appeared in some countries. Most studies suggest that the economic crisis has harmed children’s health, and disproportionately affected the most vulnerable groups. There is an urgent need for further studies to monitor the child health effects of the global recession and to inform appropriate public policy responses.

Association of Pediatric Abusive Head Trauma Rates With Macroeconomic Indicators

“…20 A recent systematic review of pediatric studies evaluating the impact of the great recession on health behaviors, child physical abuse, mental health, and health-related quality of life concluded that "the evidence to date demonstrates the plausibility of the association between the crisis and violence against children." 21 There is mixed evidence regarding which specific measures of economic stress in communities, such as mortgage foreclosure and unemployment rates, were associated with abuse rates during the great recession. A study by Wood and colleagues 22 using data from 38 pediatric hospitals demonstrated an association between local mortgage foreclosure rates and rates of admissions for physical abuse and high-risk traumatic brain injury (a proxy for AHT) between 2000 and 2009.…”

The Brazilian policy for reduction of accidents and violence aligns with international perspectives?

“…Another finding related to the violence situation against children, who are direct or indirectly affected when mental problems, stress, suicides and violence affects in higher number families during crisis periods. Previous experiences also provided evidence that protection actions developed by a wellbeing State, and that kept during a crisis period, were effective, not having negative impacts or having minimum impacts on children's health (7) . This reinforces the importance to formulate policies that are capable to interfere in social determinants to reduce inequities in health and the inequities that structures the capitalism society.…”

Child health in Iceland before and after the economic collapse in 2008

“…Policy measures have the potential to mitigate the negative impact economic crisis may have on families and the population at large, and include for example, fiscal stimulus, social protection and policies that address the labour market, and provide additional support to families 9 18. A recent systematic review10 has highlighted the adverse effect of the economic crisis on child health since 2008. The impact is varied between countries on most of the studied health outcomes, with the exception of negative impact on food consumption and nutrition of children.…”