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[Early identification of children with increased risk of permanent occupational disability]
T Bjerkedal1, O Thune, L M Irgens
1Haukeland Sykehus, Medisinsk fødselsregister, Universitetet i Bergen.
Insights
Early identification and support for at-risk children in Norway can help reduce rising disability pension rates in young adults. This study highlights the need for enhanced early intervention strategies to prevent long-term disability.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Social Medicine
- Pediatrics
Context:
- Rising rates of disability pensioning among young adults in Norway.
- Need for proactive measures to address childhood risk factors for long-term disability.
- Study cohort: 380,142 Norwegian newborns (1967-1972) tracked to age 24.
Purpose:
- To investigate the relationship between childhood social security benefits and later disability pensioning.
- To identify effective strategies for early identification and habilitation of children at risk of permanent disability.
- To inform policy and practice for disability prevention in young people.
Summary:
- One in four individuals receiving childhood benefits were disability pensioned before age 25.
- Nearly half of young disability pensioners had no prior social security assistance in childhood.
- Current early identification methods are insufficient, necessitating additional approaches.
Impact:
- Highlights the critical need for improved early identification and habilitation programs.
- Suggests a formalized collaboration between parents, health services, NGOs, and social security offices.
- Aims to reduce the incidence of permanent disability and associated societal costs in young adults.
Abstract:
In Norway, disability pensioning of young adults is increasing. Provided that early habilitation is available, early identification of children at risk might be a measure to counteract this tendency. This conclusion can be drawn from a study including all newborns 1967-72 who were residents in Norway at the age of 24, a total of 380,142 persons. One out of four who received basic grant/attendance benefit in childhood was disability pensioned before the age of 25. On the other hand, nearly half of the 24-year-olds drawing disability pension had not received any previous assistance from the social security system in childhood. Thus, additional methods should be employed in the early identification and habilitation of children at high risk of developing permanent disability. A formalised co-operation between parents, the local health services, humanitarian organisations and the local social security office assisted by the Medical Birth Registry of Norway might contribute to the prevention of permanent disability in young age.