The Health Cost of Civil Law Problems: Evidence of Links Between Civil Law Problems, Morbidity, and the Consequential Use of Health Services

Abstract

Study Objective: There is considerable evidence of links between social and health problems. Some of these links involve social problems that can be addressed through civil legal process, and may be described as civil law problems. In the United Kingdom various initiatives have been implemented to link health and legal advice services to promote better health and justice outcomes. This study examines the links between civil law problems and morbidity. It also builds on earlier findings by exploring the extent to which problems act to bring about ill-health, and details the reported consequent use of health services. Design: We examined survey respondents' self-reports of long-standing illness/disability, use of health services and experience of eighteen types of civil law problem. Setting: A random national survey conducted across England and Wales. Participants: 5,015 adults drawn from 3,832 residential households. Main results: Having controlled for a range of other social and demographic predictors, we found a significant association between age-standardised illness/disability and civil law problems; one that increases with illness/disability severity. In particular, we found significant associations with ten of eighteen principal problem types. We found that adverse health consequences were reported to have followed over one-third of problems, and some problem types in particular. This led to significant use of health services. Conclusions: We highlight the contribution that legal services can make to public health. We argue that, despite the difficulties faced by initiatives such as Health Action Zones and Community Legal Services Partnerships, the effective co-ordination of health and legal services is likely to improve both health and justice outcomes.