Socioeconomic disadvantage among working-age adults with severe visual impairment in Denmark

Background

Severe visual impairment or blindness (SVI/B) is associated with reduced social participation; however, evidence on the socioeconomic consequences at the population level remains limited. We investigated disparities in educational attainment and labour market participation among adults with SVI/B in Denmark.

Methods

We applied a cross-sectional, register-based study design utilizing nationwide registries, including individuals aged 20-59 years living with SVI/B (n = 2,261) and the general Danish population (n = 2,997,414). Educational attainment was classified according to the International Standard Classification of Education and dichotomized into lower secondary versus upper secondary or post-secondary education. Labour market participation was dichotomized as affiliation versus non-affiliation with the labour market, and early retirement versus other states. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to estimate odds ratios (ORs) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals, adjusted for age, sex, ethnicity, and region of residence. Effect modification by age was assessed using interaction terms and age-stratified analyses.

Results

SVI/B was associated with increased odds across all outcomes. For low educational attainment, the crude OR was 4.82 [4.44-5.23], and the adjusted OR was 4.96 [4.56-5.39]. For non-affiliation with the labour market, the crude OR was 9.07 [8.24-9.99] and the adjusted OR was 12.40 [11.24-13.67]. The most pronounced association was observed for early retirement, with a crude OR of 23.60 [21.73-25.64] and an adjusted OR of 26.00 [23.79-28.42]. Associations varied by age but remained evident across working age. Findings were consistent in sensitivity analyses utilizing broader age ranges.

Conclusions

SVI/B is associated with socioeconomic disadvantages in educational attainment and labour market participation among working-age adults in Denmark. These associations persist after adjusting for demographic and regional factors.

Key messages

• Severe visual impairment is associated with marked educational and labour market disadvantage across working age, highlighting socioeconomic inequalities within a universal welfare state.

• Differences in labour market participation and early retirement among adults with severe visual impairment persist after adjusting for demographic factors, indicating exclusion during working life.