Health reasons behind soaring benefit numbers

Soaring rates of obesity, stress and depression are being blamed for a huge increase in the number of people who are claiming sickness and invalid benefits.

A new study by the Ministry for Social Development has highlighted the growing obesity epidemic as one of the main reasons for the numbers of people on both benefits growing strongly over the past 10 years.

The report also suggests that increasing financial hardship, feelings of isolation, and methamphetamine abuse could be behind a rise in mental disorders.

The study, carried out by the Ministry's Centre for Social Research and Evaluation, notes that the number of sickness beneficiaries increased from about 30,000 to 40,000 in the decade to 2002.

The number on the invalid benefit increased from about 35,000 to 70,000 over the same period.

While researchers were unable to find a specific reason for the increase, they identified a range of likely issues and are now carrying out more research.

Keith McLeod, an analyst at the centre, said the lack of a specific finding had researchers considering social factors.

He said obesity was one factor that had become "obvious".

"It's become an issue for our society," Mr McLeod said. "We don't know to what extent."

Katrina Ings, director of sickness and invalid benefit strategy, said many of those on the sickness benefit were suffering from more than one illness.

The study has identified stress as the fastest-growing reason for people claiming the invalid benefit, with numbers citing stress increasing four-fold over the past decade. Muscular and skeletal problems was the next fastest-growing category.

Stress was cited as the main reason for an increase in sickness benefits (up 175 per cent), followed by bipolar disorder (up 74 per cent) and depression (up 50 per cent).

The report suggests the growth in sickness and invalid benefit numbers could be due to the health effects of long-term unemployment.

National's welfare spokeswoman, Judith Collins, said she was concerned that very little was being done to combat obesity. She also believed that some people suffering from depression would be better off going to work.

"One of the best ways to deal with depression is to keep working."

Ms Collins also cast doubt over the numbers of people claiming to be suffering from stress: "Stress has become the latter-day bad back."

National proposed using designated doctors and second opinions to ensure only those who really needed it accessed sickness and invalid benefits, she said.

Social Development and Employment Minister Steve Maharey said all countries faced the problem of rising numbers of people on sickness and illness benefits, but New Zealand was considered to have cutting edge policies to deal with it.

Mr Maharey said obesity had been identified as one of five main issues that needed to be addressed by Government officials.

People on the sickness benefit because of stress had increased partly because the National Government had introduced it as a criteria to access a benefit in 1995, he said.

But it was proving to be one of the easiest areas to treat.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY