Introduction to The Children's Social Health Monitor
In New Zealand, there are currently large disparities in child health status, with socioeconomically vulnerable children experiencing a disproportionate burden of morbidity and mortality [1]. Such disparities have persisted, despite one of the longest periods of economic growth in recent decades, as well as historically low unemployment rates.
During the past 18 months, New Zealand's economic environment has changed rapidly, with rising unemployment [2], and a large increase in the number of children reliant on benefit recipients. Given that large disparities in health status are evident for socioeconomically vulnerable children, even during periods of economic prosperity, it is possible that as the downturn progresses, and more families become reliant on Government assistance, some of the adaptations families make in order to meet their basic household needs (e.g. house downsizing / increasing the number of occupants to meet rent payments, deferring heating costs to pay for groceries) may result in unintended health consequences for children (e.g. increases in infectious and respiratory diseases, exposure to family conflict).
Rationale for Monitoring Child Health During a Recession
In addition to considering each of the individual indicators in the Children's Social Health Monitor, it is worthwhile reviewing the impact of previous economic crises on child health and wellbeing overseas, and the potential pathways via which these effects might have occurred. In addition, it is important to consider the extent to which New Zealand children were exposed to low family incomes during the last major recession (the 1990s) and the effects this had on their living standards. Such reviews are valuable, as they provide insights into the possible impacts the current downturn will have on child health and wellbeing during the next 2-5 years.
