Showing papers by "Neal Halfon published in 2008"
TL;DR: Multiple social risk factors have a cumulative effect on parent-reported child health status across physical and socioemotional domains, demonstrating a very strong risk gradient effect.
Abstract: OBJECTIVE. Social risk factors such as growing up in poverty, racial/ethnic minority status, and maternal depression have been associated with poorer health outcomes for children. This study examined the strength of association of 8 social risk factors, both individually and as part of a cumulative social risk index, on parent-reported child health status. METHODS. We performed an analysis of cross-sectional data from the 2003 National Survey of Children9s Health, a telephone survey of 102353 parents of children aged 0 to 17 years. In bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models, 8 social risk factors were tested as independent predictors of 4 parent-reported child health outcomes: global health status, dental health, socioemotional health, and overweight. These risk factors were combined into a categorical “social risk index” ranging from low risk (0 risk factors) to very high risk (≥6 risk factors), and risk gradients were examined using linear polynomial testing and multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS. The percentage of children in poorer health increased with the number of social risk factors across all health outcomes. More than half of children had ≥2 risk factors, and 24% had ≥4. Low maternal mental health, black or Hispanic race/ethnicity, CONCLUSIONS. Multiple social risk factors have a cumulative effect on parent-reported child health status across physical and socioemotional domains, demonstrating a very strong risk gradient effect. These findings emphasize the importance of addressing multiple levels of social risk to achieve improvements in child health.
233 citations
TL;DR: Greater transition support might improve access for low-income young adults who aged out of a public program for children with special health care needs by linking them with a usual source of care, identifying insurance options, and encouraging regular use of care.
110 citations
TL;DR: Recommendations are made for how the LCHD model can be used to reengineer obstetrics and women's healthcare, and offer specific examples of what a system that optimizes women's reproductive readiness would look like.
Abstract: Purpose of reviewThis review assesses the current status of obstetrical care; discusses the life course health development (LCHD) model and its implications for reorganizing systems of care for women of childbearing age; and looks to the child health system for improvement strategies that can be ada
8 citations