Fewer back pain benefits claims

Health beliefs

Over the period being studied the annual number of new IB awards for mental health and behavioural disorders remained fairly constant, however, new awards for musculoskeletal disorders declined by more than 50%. 

The change occurred across the country, but was substantially greater in North-East England and Scotland than in the South-East of England.

The researchers who undertook the study concluded that such large changes can't be explained by reductions in the working practices that cause musculoskeletal problems or in the way that people are medically assessed for benefit.  Instead, they suggest that they may reflect changes in people’s health beliefs and expectations. For example, there is now widespread awareness that complete rest is bad for back pain and that activity is beneficial. 

Also, the stigma associated with a diagnosis of mental illness is less than in the past. 

London trend

The study’s authors suggest that cultural changes in beliefs and attitudes may have started in London and the South-East of England, only later spreading to other parts of the country, and that this might account for the regional variation.

 "This study shows a dramatic reduction in claims for problems such as back and neck pain over a ten year period, and it’s important that we consider the reasons and implications of such a large change," said Dr Olivia Carlton, President of the Society of Occupational Medicine in a statement.

Hardest hit

Vicki Nash, Head of Policy and Campaigns at the mental health charity Mind, said via e-mail, "There could be a number of reasons why claims for benefits on mental health grounds have stayed steady, from the quality of treatments for mental health issues, to the way those with mental health problems are treated at work. We know that historically, waiting times for treatments like counselling have been so long that it was taking people years to access them and recover. Treatment for mental health is still lagging behind now, and it's possible this data reflects that."

The latest Department of Work and Pensions figures from August 2010 show the UK has 1.8 million Incapacity Benefit claimants. Under the Coalition government they are currently being moved on to Employment Support Allowance after undergoing a Work Capability Assessment.

Tomorrow, the first anniversary of the Coalition government, Mind will be joining over 40 disability charities and organisations protesting in central London against cutbacks to disability benefits and services. It says the proposed changes will affect hundreds and thousands of people whose lives have been devastated by mental health conditions.

Editor's note: This article has been updated  to reflect new Incapacity Benefit statistics received from the Department of Work and Pensions.