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Einarsdóttir K. Changes in maximum parental leave payment in Iceland and total fertility rates. Scand J Public Health 2023; 51:197-203. [PMID: 34254558 DOI: 10.1177/14034948211029059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Following the 2008 financial crisis, the Icelandic Government reduced the maximum parental payment until 2016, when it was increased again. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the changes in the maximum parental leave payment in Iceland during 2009 and 2016 on total fertility rates and birth rates during 2002-2019. METHODS Publicly available aggregated data on yearly total fertility rates, birth rates, unemployment rates, gross domestic product (GDP) and maximum parental leave payments were obtained for 2002-2019. Segmented regression analyses were used to measure the impact of changes in parental leave payment on term births for the two periods in which changes were implemented (2008-2010 and 2016-2017). RESULTS The decrease in maximum parental leave payment during 2008-2010 was associated with a 15% decrease in the estimated total fertility rate compared with the expected rate (-15.7%; 95% CI -22.7 to -8.7), whereas the increased payments during 2016-2017 indicated a possible 3% increase in the estimated total fertility rate (3.2%; 95% CI -29.1 to 35.5). Neither adjustment for the unemployment rate nor the GDP appeared to affect these results. The overall birth rate followed a similar trend and was most pronounced for women aged 25-34 years. CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that total fertility rates in Iceland may have been affected by changes in the maximum parental leave payment that occurred in 2009 and 2016, although the effect of the 2008 financial crisis cannot be excluded despite adjustment for the unemployment rate and GDP.
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Karalexi MA, Eberhard-Gran M, Valdimarsdóttir UA, Karlsson H, Munk-Olsen T, Skalkidou A. Perinatal mental health: how nordic data sources have contributed to existing evidence and future avenues to explore. Nord J Psychiatry 2022; 76:423-432. [PMID: 35057712 DOI: 10.1080/08039488.2021.1998616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Perinatal mental health disorders affect a significant number of women with debilitating and potentially life-threatening consequences. Researchers in Nordic countries have access to high quality, population-based data sources and the possibility to link data, and are thus uniquely positioned to fill current evidence gaps. We aimed to review how Nordic studies have contributed to existing evidence on perinatal mental health. METHODS We summarized examples of published evidence on perinatal mental health derived from large population-based longitudinal and register-based data from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. RESULTS Nordic datasets, such as the Danish National Birth Cohort, the FinnBrain Birth Cohort Study, the Icelandic SAGA cohort, the Norwegian MoBa and ABC studies, as well as the Swedish BASIC and Mom2B studies facilitate the study of prevalence of perinatal mental disorders, and further provide opportunity to prospectively test etiological hypotheses, yielding comprehensive suggestions about the underlying causal mechanisms. The large sample size, extensive follow-up, multiple measurement points, large geographic coverage, biological sampling and the possibility to link data to national registries renders them unique. The use of novel approaches, such as the digital phenotyping data in the novel application-based Mom2B cohort recording even voice qualities and digital phenotyping, or the Danish study design paralleling a natural experiment are considered strengths of such research. CONCLUSIONS Nordic data sources have contributed substantially to the existing evidence, and can guide future work focused on the study of background, genetic and environmental factors to ultimately define vulnerable groups at risk for psychiatric disorders following childbirth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria A Karalexi
- Department for Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Malin Eberhard-Gran
- Norwegian Research Centre for Women's Health, Women and Children's Division, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Unnur Anna Valdimarsdóttir
- Center of Public Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland.,Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Epidemiology, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Hasse Karlsson
- Department of Psychiatry and Centre for Population Health Research, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | - Trine Munk-Olsen
- The National Centre for Register-based Research, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Alkistis Skalkidou
- Department for Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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Spadarella E, Leso V, Fontana L, Giordano A, Iavicoli I. Occupational Risk Factors and Hypertensive Disorders in Pregnancy: A Systematic Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18168277. [PMID: 34444025 PMCID: PMC8392340 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18168277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Revised: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (HDP), including gestational hypertension (GH) and preeclampsia (PE), characterize a major cause of maternal and prenatal morbidity and mortality. In this systematic review, we tested the hypothesis that occupational factors would impact the risk for HDP in pregnant workers. MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Knowledge databases were searched for studies published between database inception and 1 April 2021. All observational studies enrolling > 10 pregnant workers and published in English were included. Un-experimental, non-occupational human studies were excluded. Evidence was synthesized according to the risk for HDP development in employed women, eventually exposed to chemical, physical, biological and organizational risk factors. The evidence quality was assessed through the Newcastle–Ottawa scale. Out of 745 records identified, 27 were eligible. No definite conclusions could be extrapolated for the majority of the examined risk factors, while more homogenous data supported positive associations between job-strain and HDP risk. Limitations due to the lack of suitable characterizations of workplace exposure (i.e., doses, length, co-exposures) and possible interplay with personal issues should be deeply addressed. This may be helpful to better assess occupational risks for pregnant women and plan adequate measures of control to protect their health and that of their children.
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Ijomone OK, Osahon IR, Okoh COA, Akingbade GT, Ijomone OM. Neurovascular dysfunctions in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Metab Brain Dis 2021; 36:1109-1117. [PMID: 33704662 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-021-00710-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy pose a huge challenge to the socioeconomic stability of a community; being a major cause of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality during delivery. Although there have been recent improvements in management strategies, still, the diversified nature of the underlying pathogenesis undermines their effectiveness. Generally, these disorders are categorized into two; hypertensive disorders of pregnancy with proteinuria (pre-eclampsia and eclampsia) and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy without proteinuria (gestational and chronic hypertension). Each of these conditions may present with unique characteristics that have interwoven symptoms. However, the tendency of occurrence heightens in the presence of any pre-existing life-threatening condition(s), environmental, and/or other genetic factors. Investigations into the cerebrovascular system demonstrate changes in the histoarchitectural organization of neurons, the proliferation of glial cells with an associated increase in inflammatory cytokines. These are oxidative stress indicators which impose a deteriorating impact on the structures that form the neurovascular unit and the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Such a pathologic state distorts the homeostatic supply of blood into the brain, and enhances the permeability of toxins/pathogens through a process called hyperperfusion at the BBB. Furthermore, a notable aspect of the pathogenesis of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy is endothelial dysfunction aggravated when signaling of the vasoprotective molecule, nitric oxide, amongst other neurotransmitter regulatory activities are impaired. This review aims to discuss the alterations in cerebrovascular regulation that determine the incidence of hypertension in pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olayemi K Ijomone
- The Neuro- Lab, School of Health and Health Technology, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria.
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Medical Sciences, Ondo, Nigeria.
| | - Itohan R Osahon
- Department of Anatomy, College of Health Sciences, Edo State University, Uzairue, Nigeria
| | - Comfort O A Okoh
- The Neuro- Lab, School of Health and Health Technology, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria
| | - Grace T Akingbade
- The Neuro- Lab, School of Health and Health Technology, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria
- Department of Human Anatomy, School of Health and Health Technology, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria
| | - Omamuyovwi M Ijomone
- The Neuro- Lab, School of Health and Health Technology, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria.
- Department of Human Anatomy, School of Health and Health Technology, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria.
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Hetherington E, Adhikari K, Tomfohr-Madsen L, Patten S, Metcalfe A. Birth outcomes, pregnancy complications, and postpartum mental health after the 2013 Calgary flood: A difference in difference analysis. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0246670. [PMID: 33571314 PMCID: PMC7877569 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0246670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 01/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In June 2013, the city of Calgary, Alberta and surrounding areas sustained significant flooding which resulted in large scale evacuations and closure of businesses and schools. Floods can increase stress which may negatively impact perinatal outcomes and mental health, but previous research is inconsistent. The objectives of this study are to examine the impact of the flood on pregnancy health, birth outcomes and postpartum mental health. Methods Linked administrative data from the province of Alberta were used. Outcomes included preterm birth, small for gestational age, a new diagnoses of preeclampsia or gestational hypertension, and a diagnosis of, or drug prescription for, depression or anxiety. Data were analyzed using a quasi-experimental difference in difference design, comparing flooded and non-flooded areas and in affected and unaffected time periods. Multivariable log binomial regression models were used to estimate risk ratios, adjusted for maternal age. Marginal probabilities for the difference in difference term were used to show the potential effect of the flood. Results Participants included 18,266 nulliparous women for the pregnancy outcomes, and 26,956 women with infants for the mental health analysis. There were no effects for preterm birth (DID 0.00, CI: -0.02, 0.02), small for gestational age (DID 0.00, CI: -0.02, 0.02), or new cases of preeclampsia (DID 0.00, CI: -0.01, 0.01). There was a small increase in new cases of gestational hypertension (DID 0.02, CI: 0.01, 0.03) in flood affected areas. There were no differences in postpartum anxiety or depression prescriptions or diagnoses. Conclusion The Calgary 2013 flood was associated with a minor increase in gestational hypertension and not other health outcomes. Universal prenatal care and magnitude of the disaster may have minimized impacts of the flood on pregnant women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin Hetherington
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- * E-mail:
| | - Kamala Adhikari
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Alberta Cancer Prevention Legacy Fund, Alberta Health Services, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Lianne Tomfohr-Madsen
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Scott Patten
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Amy Metcalfe
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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Liu L, Lin Z, Zheng B, Wang L, Zou J, Wu S, Jiang Z, Jin Q, Lai X, Lin P. Reduced Intellectual Ability in Offspring Born from Preeclamptic Mothers: A Prospective Cohort Study. Risk Manag Healthc Policy 2020; 13:2037-2046. [PMID: 33116984 PMCID: PMC7549660 DOI: 10.2147/rmhp.s277521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Severe preeclampsia may affect placental development, and high homocysteine (Hcy) levels are linked to intellectual disability. However, the correlation between perinatal Hcy levels and intellectual ability remains unknown in severe preeclampsia-affected offspring. Objective We aimed to investigate the intellectual ability in offspring born from preeclamptic mothers and examine the role of prenatal Hcy in the prediction of intellectual disability in preschool-aged offspring. Methods The IQ scores were compared between 101 children born to mothers with severe preeclampsia and 202 offsprings born to normotensive mothers. Maternal Hcy levels within 7 days prior to delivery and postnatal cord blood Hcy were measured. The associations of Hcy with IQ scores were evaluated, and the optimal cut-off values for predicting intellectual disability in the offspring were estimated. Results The children born to mothers with severe preeclampsia had a greater postnatal cord blood Hcy than those born from normotensive mothers (P < 0.001), and the mothers with severe preeclampsia presented a higher prenatal Hcy (P < 0.001). The children born to mothers with severe preeclampsia had significantly lower IQ scores than those born from normotensive mothers, and a higher Hcy was associated with a lower IQ in preeclampsia-affected offspring. The prevalence of intellectual disability was 2.86 times higher in severe preeclampsia-affected offspring than in children born from normotensive mothers, and the prevalence of low IQ was greater in children born to mothers with severe preeclampsia than in those from normotensive mothers. ROC curve analysis showed that both maternal and cord blood Hcy were predictors of intellectual disability, and the optimal cut-off for predicting intellectual disability was 17.7 and 9.75 μmol/L for maternal and cord blood Hcy. Conclusion Perinatal exposure to severe preeclampsia has an adverse effect on postnatal intellectual development, and high maternal and cord blood Hcy may contribute to this association.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linli Liu
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Fuzhou First Hospital Affiliated to Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350004, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhou Lin
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Fuzhou First Hospital Affiliated to Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350004, People's Republic of China
| | - Beihong Zheng
- Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology, Fujian Provincial Maternity and Children's Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350004, People's Republic of China
| | - Lanlan Wang
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Fuzhou First Hospital Affiliated to Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350004, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianqin Zou
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Fuzhou First Hospital Affiliated to Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350004, People's Republic of China
| | - Sanshan Wu
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Fuzhou First Hospital Affiliated to Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350004, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhongqing Jiang
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Fuzhou First Hospital Affiliated to Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350004, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiong Jin
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Fuzhou First Hospital Affiliated to Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350004, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuedan Lai
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Fuzhou First Hospital Affiliated to Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350004, People's Republic of China
| | - Peihong Lin
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Fuzhou First Hospital Affiliated to Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350004, People's Republic of China
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Birgisdóttir KH, Hauksdóttir A, Ruhm C, Valdimarsdóttir UA, Ásgeirsdóttir TL. The effect of the economic collapse in Iceland on the probability of cardiovascular events. ECONOMICS AND HUMAN BIOLOGY 2020; 37:100861. [PMID: 32106017 DOI: 10.1016/j.ehb.2020.100861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2018] [Revised: 02/03/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
After several years of a booming economy in Iceland, the economic bubble burst in 2008 and affected most Icelanders in one way or another. We explore whether the economic collapse in 2008 and subsequent economic crisis affected the probability of ischemic heart disease (IHD) events, independent of regular cyclical effects that can be attributed to typical economic conditions. Moreover, we conduct a mediation analysis to study the potential mechanisms through which the relationship between the economic collapse and cardiovascular health travels. We estimate linear probability models using administrative data on IHD events, earnings and balance-sheet status, as well as unemployment for all Icelanders aged 16 and older in 2000-2014. We find that the sharp change in economic conditions in 2008 increased the probability of cardiovascular events in both males and females in the long term. In absolute terms, these effects were small in magnitude but often statistically significant, amounting to approximately 13-16 extra cases of IHD events in each of the two years following the collapse for males and 3-5 addition cases for females. Moreover, they contrast with the finding that general business-cycle fluctuations operated in the opposite direction. Several potential mediators were correlated with the probability of IHD events, but their inclusion had little impact on the estimated effects of the economic crisis. A statistically significant business-cycle effect is found for both genders indicating that in general, harder economic times are beneficial for heart health. Thus, the general business cycle and the economic collapse in 2008 and subsequent crisis can be thought of as separate phenomena with differing effects on IHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristín Helga Birgisdóttir
- Faculty of Economics, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland, Oddi v/Sturlugötu, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland.
| | - Arna Hauksdóttir
- Faculty of Medicine, Center of Public Health Sciences, School of Health Sciences, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Christopher Ruhm
- Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy, University of Virginia, VA, USA
| | - Unnur Anna Valdimarsdóttir
- Faculty of Medicine, Center of Public Health Sciences, School of Health Sciences, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland; Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm Sweden; Department of Epidemiology, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
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Sverrisson FA, Bateman BT, Aspelund T, Skulason S, Zoega H. Preeclampsia and academic performance in children: A nationwide study from Iceland. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0207884. [PMID: 30462738 PMCID: PMC6249018 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0207884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2018] [Accepted: 11/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hypertensive disorders complicate up to 10% of pregnancies. Evidence suggests a potential association between maternal hypertensive disorders during pregnancy, particularly preeclampsia, and adverse neurodevelopment in the offspring, but existing studies are subject to limitations. We aimed to assess whether in-utero exposure to preeclampsia/eclampsia negatively impacts academic performance at ages 9, 12 and 15 years. METHODS Using individually linked, nationwide data from the Icelandic registries we followed all children born in 1989-2004 (N = 68,580), from birth until the end of 2014, thereof 63,014 (91.9%) took at least one standardized test. Using a stepwise, mixed-effects approach, we modelled the hypothesized relationship while adjusting for maternal, perinatal and childhood variables of interest. We compared test scores, measured on a normalized scale ranging from 0-60 with a mean of 30 and a standard deviation of 10, in the 4th, 7th, and 10th grades, between children exposed to preeclampsia or eclampsia in-utero versus children from normotensive pregnancies in the population. RESULTS Children exposed to preeclampsia/eclampsia scored lower than those unexposed in mathematics across all grade levels, corresponding to a difference of 0.44 points (95% CI: 0.00, 0.89), 0.59 points (95% CI: 0.13, 1.06) and 0.59 points (95% CI: 0.08, 1.10), respectively. No differences were observed in the language arts. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest a minimal effect of maternal preeclampsia/eclampsia on children's academic performance at ages 9, 12 and 15 years. The differences observed in mathematic scores between exposed and unexposed children were minimal, less than one tenth of a standard deviation per measurement occasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fridgeir A. Sverrisson
- Centre of Public Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Brian T. Bateman
- Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacoeconomics, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative, and Pain Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Thor Aspelund
- Centre of Public Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
- Icelandic Heart Association Research Institute, Kopavogur, Iceland
| | - Sigurgrimur Skulason
- Directorate of Education, Kopavogur, Iceland
- Faculty of Psychology, University of Iceland, Reykjavik Iceland
| | - Helga Zoega
- Centre of Public Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
- Medicines Policy Research Unit, Centre for Big Data Research in Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
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Ásgeirsdóttir TL, Jóhannsdóttir HM. Income-related inequalities in diseases and health conditions over the business cycle. HEALTH ECONOMICS REVIEW 2017; 7:12. [PMID: 28275988 PMCID: PMC5342994 DOI: 10.1186/s13561-017-0150-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2016] [Accepted: 02/27/2017] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
How business cycles affect income-related distribution of diseases and health disorders is largely unknown. We examine how the prevalence of thirty diseases and health conditions is distributed across the income spectrum using survey data collected in Iceland in 2007, 2009 and 2012. Thus, we are able to take advantage of the unusually sharp changes in economic conditions in Iceland during the Great Recession initiated in 2008 and the partial recovery that had already taken place by 2012 to analyze how income-related health inequality changed across time periods that can be described as a boom, crisis and recovery. The concentration curve and the concentration index are calculated for each disease, both overall and by gender. In all cases, we find a considerable income-related health inequality favoring higher income individuals, with a slight increase over the study period. Between 2007 and 2009, our results indicate increased inequality for women but decreased inequality for men. Between 2009 and 2012 on the contrary, men's inequality increases but women's decreases. The overarching result is thus that the economic hardship of the crisis temporarily increased female income-related health inequality, but decreased that of men.
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Parmar D, Stavropoulou C, Ioannidis JPA. Health outcomes during the 2008 financial crisis in Europe: systematic literature review. BMJ 2016; 354:i4588. [PMID: 27601477 PMCID: PMC5013230 DOI: 10.1136/bmj.i4588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To systematically identify, critically appraise, and synthesise empirical studies about the impact of the 2008 financial crisis in Europe on health outcomes. DESIGN Systematic literature review. DATA SOURCES Structural searches of key databases, healthcare journals, and organisation based websites. REVIEW METHODS Empirical studies reporting on the impact of the financial crisis on health outcomes in Europe, published from January 2008 to December 2015, were included. All selected studies were assessed for risk of bias. Owing to the heterogeneity of studies in terms of study design and analysis and the use of overlapping datasets across studies, studies were analysed thematically per outcome, and the evidence was synthesised on different health outcomes without formal meta-analysis. RESULTS 41 studies met the inclusion criteria, and focused on suicide, mental health, self rated health, mortality, and other health outcomes. Of those studies, 30 (73%) were deemed to be at high risk of bias, nine (22%) at moderate risk of bias, and only two (5%) at low risk of bias, limiting the conclusions that can be drawn. Although there were differences across countries and groups, there was some indication that suicides increased and mental health deteriorated during the crisis. The crisis did not seem to reverse the trend of decreasing overall mortality. Evidence on self rated health and other indicators was mixed. CONCLUSIONS Most published studies on the impact of financial crisis on health in Europe had a substantial risk of bias; therefore, results need to be cautiously interpreted. Overall, the financial crisis in Europe seemed to have had heterogeneous effects on health outcomes, with the evidence being most consistent for suicides and mental health. There is a need for better empirical studies, especially those focused on identifying mechanisms that can mitigate the adverse effects of the crisis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Divya Parmar
- School of Health Sciences, City University London, London EC1V 0HB, UK
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11
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Geographic Distribution of Healthy Resources and Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes. Matern Child Health J 2016; 20:1673-9. [DOI: 10.1007/s10995-016-1966-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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