School absence policy and healthcare use: a difference-in-difference cohort analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

A national policy in Norway demanding certificates for medical absences in upper secondary school was implemented in 2016, leading to an increase in general practitioner (GP) visits in this age group.

Objectives

To assess the policy's effect on the use of primary and specialist healthcare.

Methods

A cohort study following all Norwegian youth aged 14-21 in the years 2010-2019 using a difference-in-differences approach comparing exposed cohorts expected to attend upper secondary school after the policy change in 2016 with previous unexposed cohorts. Data were collected from national registries.

Results

The absence policy led to the increased number of contacts with GPs for exposed cohorts during all exposed years, with estimated incidence rate ratios (

SUBMITTER: Wahlberg K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11879198 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature