BACKGROUND: Early and persistent exposure to socioeconomic disadvantage impairs children's health and wellbeing. However, it is unclear at what age health inequalities emerge or whether these relationships vary across ages and outcomes. We address these issues using cross-sectional Australian population data on the physical and developmental health of children at ages 0-1, 2-3, 4-5 and 6-7 years. METHODS: 10 physical and developmental health outcomes were assessed in 2004 and 2006 for two cohorts each comprising around 5000 children. Socioeconomic position was measured as a composite of parental education, occupation and household income. RESULTS: Lower socioeconomic position was associated with increased odds for poor outcomes. For physical health outcomes and socio-emotional competence, associations were similar across age groups and were consistent with either threshold effects (for poor general health, special healthcare needs and socio-emotional competence) or gradient effects (for illness with wheeze, sleep problems and injury). For socio-emotional difficulties, communication, vocabulary and emergent literacy, stronger socioeconomic associations were observed. The patterns were linear or accelerated and varied across ages. CONCLUSIONS: From very early childhood, social disadvantage was associated with poorer outcomes across most measures of physical and developmental health and showed no evidence of either strengthening or attenuating at older compared to younger ages. Findings confirm the importance of early childhood as a key focus for health promotion and prevention efforts.
BACKGROUND: Early and persistent exposure to socioeconomic disadvantage impairs children's health and wellbeing. However, it is unclear at what age health inequalities emerge or whether these relationships vary across ages and outcomes. We address these issues using cross-sectional Australian population data on the physical and developmental health of children at ages 0-1, 2-3, 4-5 and 6-7 years. METHODS: 10 physical and developmental health outcomes were assessed in 2004 and 2006 for two cohorts each comprising around 5000 children. Socioeconomic position was measured as a composite of parental education, occupation and household income. RESULTS: Lower socioeconomic position was associated with increased odds for poor outcomes. For physical health outcomes and socio-emotional competence, associations were similar across age groups and were consistent with either threshold effects (for poor general health, special healthcare needs and socio-emotional competence) or gradient effects (for illness with wheeze, sleep problems and injury). For socio-emotional difficulties, communication, vocabulary and emergent literacy, stronger socioeconomic associations were observed. The patterns were linear or accelerated and varied across ages. CONCLUSIONS: From very early childhood, social disadvantage was associated with poorer outcomes across most measures of physical and developmental health and showed no evidence of either strengthening or attenuating at older compared to younger ages. Findings confirm the importance of early childhood as a key focus for health promotion and prevention efforts.
Authors: Sheena Reilly; Bruce Tomblin; James Law; Cristina McKean; Fiona K Mensah; Angela Morgan; Sharon Goldfeld; Jan M Nicholson; Melissa Wake Journal: Int J Lang Commun Disord Date: 2014 Jul-Aug Impact factor: 3.020
Authors: Amanda A Sesker; Jason E Strickhouser; Martina Luchetti; Ji Hyun Lee; Damaris Aschwanden; Antonio Terracciano; Angelina R Sutin Journal: J Res Pers Date: 2021-11-13
Authors: Fiona C Burgemeister; Sharinne B Crawford; Naomi J Hackworth; Stacey Hokke; Jan M Nicholson Journal: PLoS One Date: 2021-12-23 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Raphael M Herr; Katharina Diehl; Sven Schneider; Nina Osenbruegge; Nicole Memmer; Steffi Sachse; Stephanie Hoffmann; Benjamin Wachtler; Max Herke; Claudia R Pischke; Anna Novelli; Jennifer Hilger-Kolb Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-05-07 Impact factor: 3.390