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The long run impact of child abuse on health care costs and wellbeing in Australia. CHERE Working Paper 2010/10

Author

Listed:
  • Rebecca Reeve

    (CHERE, University of Technology, Sydney)

  • Kees van Gool

    (CHERE, University of Technology, Sydney)

Abstract

There are approximately 55,000 substantiated child abuse or neglect cases in Australia each year, according to Australian Institute of Health and Welfare data, 2005-06 to 2008-09 (AIHW2010). In 2008-09, one third of child maltreatment cases related to physical or sexual abuse. Our paper examines the relationship between physical and sexual abuse of children and adult physical and mental health conditions and associated health care costs in Australia. The analysis utilises confidentialised unit record file data from the National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing 2007, which includes 8841 persons aged from 16 to 85. The econometric results indicate that Australians with a history of being abused as a child suffer from significantly more physical and mental health conditions as adults and incur higher annual health care costs. In addition, we investigate the associations between child abuse, incarceration and self harm and the intergenerational impact of abuse, to extend the understanding of the long run costs of child abuse in Australia. We conclude that prevention child abuse is expected to generate long term socio-economic benefits.

Suggested Citation

  • Rebecca Reeve & Kees van Gool, 2010. "The long run impact of child abuse on health care costs and wellbeing in Australia. CHERE Working Paper 2010/10," Working Papers 2010/10, CHERE, University of Technology, Sydney.
    • Handle: RePEc:her:chewps:2010/10
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    File URL: http://www.chere.uts.edu.au/pdf/wp2010_10.pdf
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    child abuse; mental health; costs; Australia;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I30 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - General
    • I10 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - General

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