Web-economic-crisis-health-systems-and-health-web

Chapter 1 | The impact of the crisis on the health system and health in Belgium
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Disease prevalence
Long-term disability
Between 2005 and 2010, there was a steep increase of 82% in the number of
people with long-term disability. It is believed that this partly reflected stricter
eligibility conditions being imposed to receive a retirement pension; however,
it is difficult to confirm a causal relationship.
Mental disorders
A survey conducted in 2012 by the socialist sickness funds in Wallonia and
Brussels and interviews with GPs, psychiatrists and psychologists revealed
that 1 in 10 people (very) regularly suffers from depression or anxiety. This
is mainly caused by being/becoming unemployed. 14 Health care expenditure
data show an increase in the use of antidepressants by 45% between 2004 and
2012. The increase was strongest between 2006 and 2008, but since 2010 the
increase has been limited to 4.6%. Of all age groups, those aged between 51
and 70 years have experienced the largest increase. The use of antidepressants
decreased in children (0–10 years) from 2004 onwards and in adolescents
and younger adults (to 30 years of age) from 2008 onwards because alerts
were published concerning the increased risk of suicidal thoughts, suicide
and self-mutilation associated with the use of antidepressants in children and
adolescents. The biggest users of antidepressants are aged between 41 and
80 years.
The use of antipsychotic drugs has increased significantly since 2004 (by 50%
between 2004 and 2012) and the financial crisis did have an accelerating impact.
The biggest users are between 41 and 60 years of age. A consistent growth in
their use also has been reported for adolescents and children, particularly for
those aged between 12 and 17 years. The number of patients in this age group
increased by 16% while the population decreased by 3% (RIZIV, 2013c).
Mental illnesses are the primary cause of invalidity in Belgium, with 27% of
long-term absenteeism being related to mental issues. There also has been a
rapid increase in disability benefit claims because of mental health disorders
in recent years: 1% of the Belgian population or one-third of all claims
(95 000 people in June 2012 compared with 86 000 in June 2010). Claimants
were mainly aged between 40 and 55, but the number of young people
is increasing (Solidaris Mutualité, 2012). Moreover, the life expectancy
of psychiatric patients is, on average, 15 year shorter than the average
(Van Herck & Van de Cloot, 2013).
14 Telephone survey in 2012 of 1000 adults between 18 and 75 years and web-based questionnaire for physicians.