Health Disparities in the Hospitalized Child.

Health care disparities exist along the continuum of care for children admitted to the hospital; they start before admission, impact hospital course, and continue after discharge. During an acute illness, risk of admission, length of stay, hospital costs, communication during family-centered rounds, and risk of readmission have all been shown to vary by socioeconomic status, race, and ethnicity. Understanding factors beyond the acute illness that increase a child's risk of admission, increase hospital course complications, and lower discharge quality is imperative for the new generation of pediatric hospitalists focused on improving health for a population of children. In this article, we describe a framework to conceptualize socioeconomic, racial, and ethnic health disparities for the hospitalized child. Additionally, we offer actions pediatric hospitalists can take to address disparities within their practices.

Duke Scholars

Author Victoria Marie Parente Pediatrics, Hospital Medicine