In Denmark, more than 61,000 children lived in relative poverty in 2018. Social conditions in childhood influence the health of children both short- and long-term and having a childhood with periods of poverty may have detrimental effects on children’s development and health. Knowledge on these associations is however limited, especially in a welfare state like the Danish. Also, knowledge on possible protective factors that could limit the negative health consequences of childhood poverty in the long run are also limited. This project can therefore contribute to the research field of childhood poverty and health.
Purpose
The aims of the project are to provide new knowledge on the long-term health consequences of experiencing poverty during childhood in the Danish welfare state and to assess a range possible protective factors.
Method
The project is register-based using data on parental income on children born between 1980 and 2003. Trajectory modeling will be applied to identify distinct trajectories of childhood poverty among the included children. The outcomes are disease patterns and patterns of contacts to the health care system. Identification of patterns of disease and patterns of contacts to the health care system will be based on an explorative approach using machine learning techniques. Information on disease and contacts to the health care system will be obtained from national registers.
Period of project
2021 - 2024
Collaboration and funding provider
The project is supported by Helsefonden and University of Southern Denmark