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Socioeconomic Inequalities in Child Health in Ireland

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  • Layte, Richard
  • Nolan, Anne

Abstract

There is extensive empirical evidence on the link between socio-economic status (SES) and child health outcomes. However, there is some international evidence that the SES gradient in child health is weaker for objective indicators of child health (e.g., anthropometric measures such as height) than for subjective indicators (e.g., parental assessments of general health status). In this paper, we use detailed cross-sectional micro-data on two cohorts of children in Ireland (aged 9 months and 9 years) to examine the SES gradient in various indicators of child health (length/height; weight/BMI; general health status; chronic illness incidence). Using two main indicators of SES, namely household income and mother's highest level of education, we find only limited support for the contention that the SES gradient in child health in Ireland is stronger for more subjective measures of child health.

Suggested Citation

  • Layte, Richard & Nolan, Anne, 2013. "Socioeconomic Inequalities in Child Health in Ireland," Papers WP453, Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI).
    • Handle: RePEc:esr:wpaper:wp453
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Mark E. McGovern, 2016. "Progress and the Lack of Progress in Addressing Infant Health and Infant Health Inequalities in Ireland during the 20th Century," Economics Working Papers 16-05, Queen's Management School, Queen's University Belfast.
    2. Darmody, Merike & Smyth, Emer & Russell, Helen, 2020. "The implications of the COVID-19 pandemic for policy in relation to children and young people: a research review," Research Series, Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI), number SUSTAT94, June.
    3. Dudek, Michał, 2017. "Skala i uwarunkowania ubóstwa rodzin rolniczych w Polsce," Village and Agriculture (Wieś i Rolnictwo), Polish Academy of Sciences (IRWiR PAN), Institute of Rural and Agricultural Development, vol. 2(175).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Child Health/Socio-Economic Health Inequalities/Ireland;

    JEL classification:

    • C20 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - General
    • D12 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Consumer Economics: Empirical Analysis
    • I14 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Inequality

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