Citation

Lindley LC, Slayter EM. Death Stud. 2019; 43(4): 248-259.

Affiliation

School of Social Work, Salem State University , Salem , MA 01970.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/07481187.2018.1455765

PMID

29757103

Abstract

Drawing on national, longitudinal Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System data (2005-2015), demographic, health, foster care, and geographic characteristics of decedents (N = 3,653) aged 1-17 years were examined. On average, decedents were 6 years old, the highest proportion died as infants, and experienced significant trauma in their short lives either through maltreatment or exposure to parental substance use. A noted increase in Medicaid coverage among decedents over time suggests critical access to concurrent treatment and hospice care, but this is unavailable to children with private insurance. This study has policy implications related to the 2010 Affordable Care Act.

Language: en

Keywords

adolescents; children; death of a child; end of life; pediatrics