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Background and objectiveRacial disparities in diagnosis and receipt of services for early childhood developmental delay (DD) are well known but studies have had difficulties distinguishing contributing patient, healthcare system, and physician factors from underlying prevalence. We examine rates of physician diagnoses of DD by preschool and kindergarten entry controlling for a child's objective development via scoring on validated developmental assessment along with other child characteristics.MethodsWe used data from the preschool and kindergarten entry waves of the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Birth Cohort. Dependent variables included being diagnosed with DD by a medical provider and receipt of developmental services. Logistic regression models tested whether a child's race was associated with both outcomes during preschool and kindergarten while controlling for the developmental assessments, as well as other contextual factors.ResultsAmong 7950 children, 6.6% of preschoolers and 7.5% of kindergarteners were diagnosed with DD. Of preschool children with DD, 66.5% were receiving developmental services, while 69.1% of kindergarten children with DD were receiving services. Children who were Black, Asian, spoke a primary language other than English and had no health insurance were less likely to be diagnosed with DD despite accounting for cognitive ability. Black and Latinx children were less likely to receive services.ConclusionsRacial minority children are less likely to be diagnosed by their pediatric provider with DD and less likely to receive services despite accounting for a child's objective developmental assessment. The pediatric primary care system is an important target for interventions to reduce these disparities.

Background and objectivesDespite professional guidelines to conduct universal early childhood developmental screening, primary care providers often struggle with early identification of developmental delays, referrals to interventions, and connecting families to services. In this study, we tested the efficacy of telephone-based developmental screening and care coordination through 2-1-1 Los Angeles County, which is part of a national network of call centers, compared with usual care alone.MethodsChildren ages 12 to 42 months old who receive well-child care at a community health center serving predominantly Hispanic families were recruited and randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. Families in the intervention group were connected with 2-1-1, in which a trained care coordinator conducted developmental screening over the phone using the Parental Evaluation of Development Status Online system and made referrals to intervention services on the basis of developmental risk. The 2-1-1 care coordinator then followed-up with families to assist with connections to evaluations and services. After 6 months, primary outcomes included the following: (1) percentage of children referred for developmental evaluation and intervention services and (2) percentage of children actually receiving services.ResultsOne hundred and fifty-two children were randomly assigned to intervention (n = 77) and control (n = 75) groups. On the basis of intention-to-treat analyses, significantly more children assigned to the intervention group were referred (32% vs 9%; P = .001) and were receiving services (16% vs 1%; P = .002) within 6 months compared with children assigned to usual care alone.ConclusionsTelephone-based developmental screening and care coordination through 2-1-1 appears to be an effective approach for increasing the numbers of young children referred to, and receiving, intervention services for developmental delays.

ObjectiveWe sought to quantify the association between child incarceration in the United States and subsequent adult health outcomes.MethodsWe analyzed National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health data from 1727 adult (Wave IV) participants first incarcerated at age

ObjectivesWe sought to examine the effect of a caregiver coaching intervention, Plans for Action and Care Transitions (PACT), on hospital use among children with medical complexity (CMC) within a complex care medical home at an urban tertiary medical center.MethodsPACT was an 18-month caregiver coaching intervention designed to influence key drivers of hospitalizations: (1) recognizing critical symptoms and conducting crisis plans and (2) supporting comprehensive hospital transitions. Usual care was within a complex care medical home. Primary outcomes included hospitalizations and 30-day readmissions. Secondary outcomes included total charges and mortality. Intervention effects were examined with bivariate and multivariate analyses.ResultsFrom December 2014 to September 2016, 147 English- and Spanish-speaking CMC

OBJECTIVES:Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by challenges in social communication and interaction and restricted or repetitive behavior, interests, or activities. Although ASD symptoms generally manifest in early childhood, many individuals experience delays accessing an autism diagnosis and related services. In this study, we identify the individual, social, and structural factors that influence parents' experiences of children's ASD diagnosis. METHODS:Parents of 25 children with autism participated in 60- to 90-minute semistructured in-person interviews. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Transcripts were analyzed using the method of grounded theory. This inductive method allowed analysts to identify key themes related to participants' experiences of children's ASD diagnosis. RESULTS:The process of ASD diagnosis reflects an odyssey that includes 3 key phases: the prediagnosis phase, in which "Making Sense of Child Difference" is a primary characteristic of participants' experiences; the during-diagnosis phase, when "Navigating Diagnosis" suggests systematic barriers that influence the timing of ASD diagnosis; and the postdiagnosis phase, when participants' experiences of "Connecting to Services" point to the important role that personal efforts play in gaining access to care. CONCLUSIONS:In this study, we highlight individual, social, and structural factors that influence parent experiences before, during, and after their child's autism diagnosis. Our findings indicate the need for more consistent and continuous support for autistic individuals and their families during the diagnostic odyssey, as well as resources that better represent the diversity of experiences and symptoms associated with autism across the life course.

Purpose Although incarceration may have life-long negative health effects, little is known about associations between child incarceration and subsequent adult health outcomes. The paper aims to discuss this issue. Design/methodology/approach The authors analyzed data from 14,689 adult participants in the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health) to compare adult health outcomes among those first incarcerated between 7 and 13 years of age (child incarceration); first incarcerated at>or=14 years of age; and never incarcerated. Findings Compared to the other two groups, those with a history of child incarceration were disproportionately black or Hispanic, male, and from lower socio-economic strata. Additionally, individuals incarcerated as children had worse adult health outcomes, including general health, functional limitations (climbing stairs), depressive symptoms, and suicidality, than those first incarcerated at older ages or never incarcerated. Research limitations/implications Despite the limitations of the secondary database analysis, these findings suggest that incarcerated children are an especially medically vulnerable population. Practical implications Programs and policies that address these medically vulnerable children's health needs through comprehensive health and social services in place of, during, and/or after incarceration are needed. Social implications Meeting these unmet health and social service needs offers an important opportunity to achieve necessary health care and justice reform for children. Originality/value No prior studies have examined the longitudinal relationship between child incarceration and adult health outcomes.

ObjectiveBecause children with medical complexity (CMC) display very different health trajectories, needs, and resource utilization than other children, it is unclear how well traditional conceptions of population health apply to CMC. We sought to identify key health outcome domains for CMC as a step toward determining core health metrics for this distinct population of children.MethodsWe conducted and analyzed interviews with 23 diverse national experts on CMC to better understand population health for CMC. Interviewees included child and family advocates, health and social service providers, and research, health systems, and policy leaders. We performed thematic content analyses to identify emergent themes regarding population health for CMC.ResultsOverall, interviewees conveyed that defining and measuring population health for CMC is an achievable, worthwhile goal. Qualitative themes from interviews included: 1) CMC share unifying characteristics that could serve as the basis for population health outcomes; 2) optimal health for CMC is child specific and dynamic; 3) health of CMC is intertwined with health of families; 4) social determinants of health are especially important for CMC; and 5) measuring population health for CMC faces serious conceptual and logistical challenges.ConclusionsExperts have taken initial steps in defining the population health of CMC. Population health for CMC involves a dynamic concept of health that is attuned to individual, health-related goals for each child. We propose a framework that can guide the identification and development of population health metrics for CMC.

Objective"What do you want to be when you grow up?" is a simple, commonly asked question that might provide insight into adolescent well-being. Career aspirations might reflect an adolescent's sense of identity, hope for the future, and self-efficacy, all of which are critical to identifying at-risk youth and intervening on risky behaviors. However, there are no studies on whether career aspirations are associated with adolescent emotional and health behavior outcomes.MethodsWe analyzed cross-sectional surveys of 929 ninth to 12th grade low-income minority adolescents in Los Angeles assessing career aspirations and its association with hopelessness, self-efficacy, substance use, violence, and risky sexual activity. We used Department of Labor statistics to categorize career aspirations according to amount of education required, income, and prestige. Generalized estimating equations accounted for sociodemographic characteristics, school type, academic performance, and clustering at the school level.ResultsGrades, standardized test scores, and health behaviors varied according to career type. Adolescents with higher career aspirations, measured according to career-related education, income, and prestige reported less hopelessness and more self-efficacy. After adjusting for confounders, aspirations requiring high levels of education were associated with decreased odds of alcohol use, at-school substance use, and risky sexual activity, and higher prestige scores were associated with decreased odds of other drug use.ConclusionsCareer aspirations might be a marker for adolescent health and well-being. Adults might consider asking a teen what they want to be when they grow up to gain insight into their levels of hopelessness and self-efficacy and provide context for counseling on healthy behavior change.

Background and objectivesDespite the widespread epidemic of mass incarceration in the US, relatively little literature exists examining the longitudinal relationship between youth incarceration and adult health outcomes. We sought to quantify the association of youth incarceration with subsequent adult health outcomes.MethodsWe analyzed data from 14 344 adult participants in the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health. We used weighted multivariate logistic regressions to investigate the relationship between cumulative incarceration duration (none, 1 year) before Wave IV (ages 24-34 years) and subsequent adult health outcomes (general health, functional limitations, depressive symptoms, and suicidal thoughts). Models controlled for Wave I (grades 7-12) baseline health, sociodemographics, and covariates associated with incarceration and health.ResultsA total of 14.0% of adults reported being incarcerated between Waves I and IV. Of these, 50.3% reported a cumulative incarceration duration of 1 year. Compared with no incarceration, incarceration duration of < 1 month predicted subsequent adult depressive symptoms (odds ratio [OR] = 1.41; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.11-1.80; P = .005). A duration of 1 to 12 months predicted worse subsequent adult general health (OR = 1.48; 95% CI, 1.12-1.96; P = .007). A duration of >1 year predicted subsequent adult functional limitations (OR = 2.92; 95% CI, 1.51-5.64; P = .002), adult depressive symptoms (OR = 4.18; 95% CI, 2.48-7.06; P < .001), and adult suicidal thoughts (OR = 2.34; 95% CI, 1.09-5.01; P = .029).ConclusionsCumulative incarceration duration during adolescence and early adulthood is independently associated with worse physical and mental health later in adulthood. Potential mechanisms merit exploration.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Early intervention services can improve outcomes for children with developmental delays. Health care providers, however, often struggle to ensure timely referrals and services. We tested the effectiveness of telephone-based early childhood developmental care coordination through 211 LA, a health and human services call center serving Los Angeles County, in increasing referral and enrollment in services. METHODS: In partnership with 4 clinic systems, we recruited and randomly assigned children aged 12 to 42 months with upcoming well-child visits and without a known developmental delay, to intervention versus usual care. All children received developmental screening and usual clinic care. Intervention children also received telephone connection to a 211 LA early childhood care coordinator who made referrals and conducted follow-up. Primary outcomes at a 6-month follow-up included parent-reported referral and enrollment in developmental services. Secondary outcomes included referral and enrollment in early care and education (ECE). Logistic regression models were used to estimate the odds of outcomes, adjusted for key covariates. RESULTS: Of 565 families (282 intervention, 283 control), 512 (90.6%) provided follow-up data. Among all participants, more intervention than control children were referred to (25% vs 16%, adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 2.25, P = .003) and enrolled in (15% vs 9%, AOR 2.35, P = .008) ≥1 service, and more intervention than control children were referred to (58% vs 15%, AOR 9.06, P < .001) and enrolled in (26% vs 10%, AOR 3.75, P < .001) ECE. CONCLUSIONS: Telephone-based care coordination through 211 LA is effective in connecting young children to developmental services and ECE, offering a potentially scalable solution for gaps and disparities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current recommendations emphasize developmental screening and surveillance to identify developmental delays (DDs) for referral to early intervention (EI) services. Many young children without DDs, however, are at high risk for poor developmental and behavioral outcomes by school entry but are ineligible for EI. We developed models for 2-year-olds without DD that predict, at kindergarten entry, poor academic performance and high problem behaviors. Data from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Birth Cohort (ECLS-B), were used for this study. The analytic sample excluded children likely eligible for EI because of DDs or very low birth weight. Dependent variables included low academic scores and high problem behaviors at the kindergarten wave. Regression models were developed by using candidate predictors feasibly obtainable during typical 2-year well-child visits. Models were cross-validated internally on randomly selected subsamples. Approximately 24% of all 2-year-old children were ineligible for EI at 2 years of age but still had poor academic or behavioral outcomes at school entry. Prediction models each contain 9 variables, almost entirely parental, social, or economic. Four variables were associated with both academic and behavioral risk: parental education below bachelor's degree, little/no shared reading at home, food insecurity, and fair/poor parental health. Areas under the receiver-operating characteristic curve were 0.76 for academic risk and 0.71 for behavioral risk. Adding the mental scale score from the Bayley Short Form-Research Edition did not improve areas under the receiver-operating characteristic curve for either model. Among children ineligible for EI services, a small set of clinically available variables at age 2 years predicted academic and behavioral outcomes at school entry.

ObjectiveIndividual academic achievement is a well-known predictor of adult health, and addressing education inequities may be critical to reducing health disparities. Disparities in school quality are well documented. However, we lack nationally representative studies evaluating the impact of school quality on adult health. We aim to determine whether high school quality predicts adult health outcomes after controlling for baseline health, socio-demographics and individual academic achievement.MethodsWe analyzed data from 7037 adolescents who attended one of 77 high schools in the Unites States and were followed into adulthood from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health. Selected school-level quality measures-average daily attendance, school promotion rate, parental involvement, and teacher experience-were validated based on ability to predict high school graduation and college attendance. Individual adult health outcomes included self-rated health, diagnosis of depression, and having a measured BMI in the obese range.ResultsLogistic regressions controlling for socio-demographics, baseline health, health insurance, and individual academic performance demonstrated that school quality significantly predicted all health outcomes. As hypothesized, attending a school with lower average daily attendance predicted lower self-rated health (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) 1.59, p = 0.003) and higher odds of depression diagnosis (AOR 1.35, p = 0.03); and attending a school with higher parent involvement predicted lower odds of obesity (AOR 0.69, p = 0.001). However, attending a school with higher promotion rate also predicted lower self-rated health (AOR1.20, p

Introduction Despite the significant healthcare policy and program implications, a summary measure of health for children with medical complexity (CMC) has not been identified. It is unclear whether existing population health approaches apply to CMC. We conducted a systematic review of the existing peer-reviewed research literature on CMC to describe the health outcomes currently measured for CMC. Methods We searched MEDLINE and PsycINFO by linking combinations of key words from three groups of concepts: (1) pediatric, (2) medical complexity, and (3) chronicity or severity. Study eligibility criteria were research studies including CMC with any outcome reported. Data on the outcomes were systematically extracted. Iterative content analysis organized outcomes into conceptual domains and sub-domains. Results Our search yielded 3853 articles. After exclusion criteria were applied, 517 articles remained for data extraction. Five distinct outcome domains and twenty-four sub-domains emerged. Specifically, 50% of the articles studied healthcare access and use; 43% family well-being; 39% child health and well-being; 38% healthcare quality; and 25% adaptive functioning. Notably lacking were articles examining routine child health promotion as well as child mental health and outcomes related to family functioning. Conclusions Key health domains for CMC exist. Adaptations of existing sets of metrics and additional tools are needed to fully represent and measure population health for CMC. This approach may guide policies and programs to improve care for CMC., Author(s): Elizabeth S. Barnert [sup.1] [sup.2] , Ryan J. Coller [sup.3] , Bergen B. Nelson [sup.4] , Lindsey R. Thompson [sup.1] [sup.2] , John Tran [sup.1] , Vincent Chan [sup.1] [...]

Improving the health and health literacy of low-income families is a national public health priority in the United States. The federal Head Start program provides a national infrastructure for implementation of health promotion interventions for young children and their families. The Health Care Institute (HCI) at the Anderson School of Management at the University of California, Los Angeles, developed a structured approach to health promotion training for Head Start grantees using business management principles. This article describes the HCI approach and provides examples of implemented programs and selected outcomes, including knowledge and behavior changes among Head Start staff and families. This prevention-focused training platform has reached 60,000 Head Start families in the United States since its inception in 2001. HCI has demonstrated consistent outcomes in diverse settings and cultures, suggesting both scalability and sustainability.