Health allowance
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Health Allowance: Insights from Recent Research
Mutual Receipt of Sickness Allowance and Disability Pension in Couples
Interdependence in Health Benefit Receipt
Research on the mutual receipt of sickness allowance and disability pension among couples reveals significant interdependencies. A study analyzing Finnish couples aged 40-65 found that the risk of receiving sickness allowance increases by 50% during the first years after a partner's initial receipt of the same benefit. Additionally, the risk of receiving a disability pension doubles even five years after a partner's receipt of the same benefit. This suggests that health-related decisions and benefit receipt are closely linked within couples, potentially due to shared health behaviors, economic resources, and social support systems.
Gender Differences in Health Benefit Receipt
The study also highlights gender differences in the receipt of health benefits. Women are more instrumental in the production of health within couples, with their receipt of disability pension being more closely related to their male partner's receipt than vice versa. However, for sickness allowance, the gender asymmetry is minimal. This indicates that while both partners influence each other's health decisions, women may play a more significant role in managing health within the household.
Child Allowance and Children's Well-being in Japan
Impact on Physical and Mental Health
Child allowance payments in Japan aim to mitigate child poverty and support children's well-being. A study using data from the K-CHILD study found that children in families receiving child allowance had a lower total difficulties score and a reduced risk of being overweight. However, there was no significant association with underweight, prosocial behavior, depressive symptoms, or self-rated health. This suggests that while child allowance can positively impact certain aspects of children's health, its effects may be limited to specific areas.
Parental Investment and Child Allowance
The same study found no significant differences in parental investment in children's health based on child allowance status. This includes material goods, family events, extracurricular activities, and interaction with children. This indicates that while child allowance may alleviate some financial burdens, it does not necessarily translate into increased parental investment in children's health-related activities.
Disability Living Allowance and Ethnic Differences in Access
Barriers to Benefit Receipt
Long-term health conditions often necessitate welfare benefits like Disability Living Allowance (DLA) to maintain living standards. However, access to DLA varies significantly across ethnic groups. Research indicates that Bangladeshi, Pakistani, and Black African individuals have lower levels of DLA receipt compared to White British individuals with similar health and socioeconomic characteristics. Common barriers include a desire to conceal impairments, reluctance to assume a 'disabled' identity, limited knowledge of benefits, and perceptions of a complex and stressful benefits system.
Ethnic Identity and Social Networks
The study also found that ethnic identity influences access to benefits. For instance, 'being' Ghanaian appeared to impose particular constraints on assuming a disabled identity, affecting DLA claims. Additionally, social networks within ethnic communities play a role in disseminating information and 'know-how' regarding the benefits system, leading to differential access. This highlights the need for policies that improve information flow and support within diverse communities to enhance benefit uptake.
Conclusion
The research underscores the complex interplay between social relations, gender, ethnicity, and health benefit receipt. Mutual receipt of health benefits among couples, the impact of child allowance on children's well-being, and ethnic differences in accessing disability benefits all point to the need for nuanced and inclusive policies. Addressing these disparities requires targeted interventions that consider the unique challenges faced by different demographic groups.
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