Search

Preference weights are widely used to score generic health states into utility indexes for estimation of quality adjusted life years (QALYs) and to aid health care funding decisions. To date, health state utilities are predominantly derived using stated preference methods based on decision utility. This paper tests an alternative and generates preference weights using experienced utility for children based on the Child Health Utility 9D (CHU9D) descriptive system. We estimate the relative values of the CHU9D health states with regard to experienced utility, where experienced utility is approximated by self-reported happiness. A nationally-representative longitudinal survey was used including 6090 Australian children aged 12–17 years surveyed over 2014–2018. The derived weights were then applied to calculate the utility decrements for a few common child health conditions. We found that the estimated utility decrements are largely similar to those estimated using the published CHU9D Australian adolescent weights based on decision utility, except for pain and depression. A smaller utility decrement for pain and a larger utility decrement for depression were indicated by experienced utility. We contribute to the literature by showing that using experienced utility methods to generate preference weights for health states is possible, and we discuss some important methodological challenges for future studies such as the impracticability of anchoring to 'dead' when utilizing experienced utility. • Established methods of valuing health states rely on decision utility. • We use experienced utility to generate preference weights for children. • The estimated decrements for health conditions are similar to published weights. • We see smaller impact for pain, larger for depression compared to published weights. • Feasibility is demonstrated using child experienced utility for preference weights. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Placement stability is an important indicator of the functioning of an out-of-home care system. Previous research suggests that frequent placement changes have a negative impact on the outcomes for children and young people in out-of-home care. This paper examines the association between placement stability in out-of-home care and children's socio-emotional, cognitive and physical health outcomes. The Pathways of Care Longitudinal Study (POCLS) is the first large-scale prospective longitudinal study of children in out-of-home care in Australia. The sample consists of any study child who participated in any of the first three waves of the POCLS interview. Unweighted data from the first three waves of the POCLS interview and administrative data was used. A measure of placement stability was developed that accounted for both number of placements and length of time in care. Mixed effect modelling was used to examine the link between placement stability and children's developmental outcomes. Placement stability was found to have a significant association with socio-emotional, cognitive (non-verbal) and physical health (gross and fine motor skill) development. A number of other factors were also found to be associated with positive development. The findings support the existing evidence that placement stability is an important factor for children's development. Other factors including placement type, carer wellbeing and carer support are also important for positive development. Appropriate policy and practice intervention to support children and families to improve placement stability is fundamental to achieving positive developmental outcomes for children in out-of-home care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obesity remains a significant public health concern globally with over one billion adults projected to be obese by 2025. To better understand the drivers of obesity and to inform policy, it is important to explore the factors that influence obesity. The objective of this paper to examine if the crime rates in the neighbourhood or local area in which a person lives influences their likelihood of being obese. Thus, we seek to contribute to the literature on the determinants of obesity by asking the question: what is the effect of neighbourhood (i.e., postcode) crime on obesity? We also examine the pathways through which neighbourhood crime influences obesity with a focus on the role of social capital, physical activity and sleep quality. Using 14 waves of longitudinal data from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey merged with official police statistics on crime rates at the postcode level, we apply identification strategies that address endogeneity arising from endogenous sorting and omitted variable bias. We find that an increase in neighbourhood crime rates is associated with an increase in body mass index (BMI) and the likelihood of being obese. Exploring the pathways through which neighbourhood crime influences obesity, we find that social capital and physical activity are important channels, while sleep quality is not. The evidence also suggests that the effects of violent crime are more pronounced compared to property crime. Our findings suggest that targeting crime, and in particular violent crime, which seems to be driving the findings, is a core mechanism for reducing BMI and maintaining healthy body weight. The mediating role of physical activity and social capital also suggest that public policy can specifically target these areas by providing interventions that promote social capital and physical activity even amidst high crime rates. • We examine the impact of neighbourhood crime on obesity. • We use 14 waves of longitudinal data from Australia. • Neighbourhood crime increases obesity. • Social capital and physical activity are important channels. • Effects are stronger for females than males. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]