Trends and Disparities in Healthcare Transition Preparation from 2016-2019: Findings from the U.S. National Survey of Children's Health

• Published in: The Journal of pediatrics
• Main Authors: Javalkar, Karina, Nazareth, Meaghan, Diaz-Gonzalez de Ferris, Maria E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 19-05-2022
• ISSN: 1097-6833

To evaluate national trends in healthcare transition (HCT) preparation over a four-year period using the National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH). Our secondary aim was to identify and examine disparities in receipt of HCT preparation over the study period.
Data from the NSCH, an annual serial cross-sectional survey from 2016 to 2019, were examined. Caregivers answered questions regarding one of their children within each of a random sample of households across the United States of America. Primary analysis examined trends in HCT preparation based on the year of survey completion. Secondary analysis examined the association of race/ethnicity, primary household language, insurance type, and children with special healthcare needs (CSHCN) with receipt of HCT preparation.
We included data from 54,434 youth (20,708 in 2016, 8,909 in 2017, 12,587 in 2018, and 12,230 in 2019) ages 12-17, whose caregivers completed the NSCH between 2016-2019. The sample was weighted to be nationally representative based on weights provided by the NSCH. Youth receiving necessary HCT preparation increased over the study period (14.8% in 2016 to 20.5% in 2019, p<0.001). Multivariable logistic regression demonstrated increased odds of receiving HCT preparation in 2018 and 2019, as well as for White, non-Hispanic youth, those with English or Spanish as a primary household language, those with private insurance, and CSHCN.
Although frequency of youth receiving HCT preparation has increased since 2016, there is need for ongoing improvement and elimination of disparities in HCT preparation.