Economic impact of childhood psychiatric disorder on public sector services in Britain: estimates from national survey data. (27th February 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Snell, Tom; Knapp, Martin; Healey, Andrew; Guglani, Sacha; Evans‐Lacko, Sara; Fernandez, Jose‐Luis; Meltzer, Howard; Ford, Tamsin
• Is Part Of: Journal of child psychology and psychiatry and allied disciplines. Volume 54:Number 9(2013:Sep.)
• Page Start: 977
• Page End: 985
• Publication Date: 2013-02-27
• Subjects: Child psychology -- Periodicals; Child psychiatry -- Periodicals; 155.4
• DOI: 10.1111/jcpp.12055
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-9630

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" xml:lang="en" id="jcpp12055-abs-0001"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="jcpp12055-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Background</title> <p>Approximately one in ten children aged 5–15 in Britain has a conduct, hyperactivity or emotional disorder.</p> </sec> <sec id="jcpp12055-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>The British Child and Adolescent Mental Health Surveys (BCAMHS) identified children aged 5–15 with a psychiatric disorder, and their use of health, education and social care services. Service costs were estimated for each child and weighted to estimate the overall economic impact at national level.</p> </sec> <sec id="jcpp12055-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Additional health, social care and education costs associated with child psychiatric disorders totalled £1.47bn in 2008. The lion's share of the costs falls to frontline education and special education services.</p> </sec> <sec id="jcpp12055-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>There are huge costs to the public sector associated with child psychiatric disorder, particularly the education system. There is a pressing need to explore ways to reduce these costs while improving health and well‐being.</p> </sec> </abstract>