Child maltreatment (CM) is unfortunately a widespread phenomenonwith pervasive and remarkable effects not only on the psychological, social growth of children, but also on the economic side, because of a wide range ofdirect and indirect health costs and productivity losses for the society. The paper intends to offer a survey of the existing studies on economic evaluation of CM, quite few at the moment and with very differentiated results in terms of used methodology, definition and underestimation of the costs, comparability of the studies at international level. Resources are completely absorbed by protective rather than preventive services, and this reveals a poor attention for economic savings by policy makers and researchers in general. Therefore, expanding knowledge on the cost-benefit analysis applied to CM programs is critical in stimulating further research and investment in this field.
Economic evaluation of child maltreatment: a critical survey
ROMBALDONI, ROSALBA
2016
Abstract
Child maltreatment (CM) is unfortunately a widespread phenomenonwith pervasive and remarkable effects not only on the psychological, social growth of children, but also on the economic side, because of a wide range ofdirect and indirect health costs and productivity losses for the society. The paper intends to offer a survey of the existing studies on economic evaluation of CM, quite few at the moment and with very differentiated results in terms of used methodology, definition and underestimation of the costs, comparability of the studies at international level. Resources are completely absorbed by protective rather than preventive services, and this reveals a poor attention for economic savings by policy makers and researchers in general. Therefore, expanding knowledge on the cost-benefit analysis applied to CM programs is critical in stimulating further research and investment in this field.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
