Healthcare utilization

Healthcare utilization has traditionally been explored in Growing Up in Ireland in

terms of engagement with healthcare professionals, hospitalisations, unmet service

needs, accidents and injury and antibiotic use.

According to data presented in the State of the Nation’s Children report for 2024

(derived from the Hospital In-Patient Enquiry 2023 Annual Report), children aged 1-4

years accounted for 23% of childhood hospital discharges in 2023, a larger proportion

than older age groupings (p.84). The same report also notes that children aged 1-4

years accounted for 21% of all childhood hospital discharges for “injury, poisoning,

and certain other consequences of external causes” (p.86).

Consultations with medical professionals, hospitalisations and associated unmet

needs and barriers to access, are important from a public policy and planning

perspective, particularly where socioeconomic or geographic factors limit access. A

delay in seeking or receiving healthcare is associated with more complications from

illness. Using data from the National Treatment Purchase Fund, the State of the

Nation’s Children report noted that in 2023, there were 10,005 children on

inpatient/day case waiting lists, and 77,682 children on outpatient waiting lists

(p.163). The extent of this issue can be explored further at age 3 in terms of

identifying increasing or worsening health conditions where there have been delays

in seeking or obtaining healthcare for the child.

Injuries in childhood are an elevated source of public health concern, and studies

tend to show a social gradient for risk of childhood injuries and their severity

(Silversides et al., 2005; Hippisley-Cox et al., 2002). The State of the Nation’s

Children report also notes that, for all childhood age groups, ‘accidental fall’ was the

single biggest subcategory (35%; p.86)

Preschool children consume more antibiotic medicines than any other age group

(Wrigley, 2002). Moreover, recent research indicates that medical-card holders (30%

of the population in Ireland) account for over 50% of antibiotic use, though it is

unclear whether this relationship extends to children or not (McGowan et al., 2008).

Moreover, a meta-analysis of eight studies found that antibiotic exposure during the

first 12 months of life was associated with increased risk of developing asthma in

early childhood (Penders et al., 2011).

Recommendations for Cohort 24 at 3 years:

•Collect information on the number of consultations the child has had with medical professionals in the last year, or if they were hospitalized

•Repeat questions from previous Growing Up in Ireland waves on any unmet healthcare need

•Repeat questions on injuries/accidents from Cohort 08 at 3

•Repeat the question on how often their child availed of antibiotics in the last year, as per Cohort 08 at 3

Cover for medical expenses