Uninsured children more likely to die during hospital stays
In the midst of this fresh explosion of health care debate, a striking study released by Hopkins researchers may provide another support pillar for advocates of government-funded insurance coverage.
The study examined high mortality rates in uninsured children, and researchers found that 104,520 of the 22.2 million insured children died during hospitilization, compared to 9,468 of the 1.2 million uninsured children.
This indicates that uninsured children are 60 percent more likely to die in hospitals than their insured counterparts.
"If you take two kids from the same demographic background - the same race, the same gender, same neighborhood income level and same number of co-morbidities or other illnesses - the kid without insurance is 60 percent more likely to die in the hospital than the kid in the bed right next to him or her who is insured," David Chang, an author of the study and an assistant professor at the Hopkins School of Medicine, said.
The study encompassed more than 23 million hospital records. The records were collected from 37 states across the U.S. between 1988 and 2005. A very large data pool was necessary for the study given the relatively low rates of death in children.
The researchers recruited children under the age of 18, controlling for gender, race, region of residence, medical condition, hospital type and basis of admission using regression models.
Researchers used statistical simulation in order to find the number of deaths that could be avoided by the possession of health insurance. They were able to predict the number of deaths in the insured group based on the patients' medical condition, subsequently applying this figure to the uninsured group.
Although the study does not explain why child mortality is higher among uninsured children, researchers can speculate as to some possible reasons. Uninsured children were found to have shorter, less expensive hospital visits when they died, averaging $8,058 compared with $20,951 in the insured group.
The study examined high mortality rates in uninsured children, and researchers found that 104,520 of the 22.2 million insured children died during hospitilization, compared to 9,468 of the 1.2 million uninsured children.
This indicates that uninsured children are 60 percent more likely to die in hospitals than their insured counterparts.
"If you take two kids from the same demographic background - the same race, the same gender, same neighborhood income level and same number of co-morbidities or other illnesses - the kid without insurance is 60 percent more likely to die in the hospital than the kid in the bed right next to him or her who is insured," David Chang, an author of the study and an assistant professor at the Hopkins School of Medicine, said.
The study encompassed more than 23 million hospital records. The records were collected from 37 states across the U.S. between 1988 and 2005. A very large data pool was necessary for the study given the relatively low rates of death in children.
The researchers recruited children under the age of 18, controlling for gender, race, region of residence, medical condition, hospital type and basis of admission using regression models.
Researchers used statistical simulation in order to find the number of deaths that could be avoided by the possession of health insurance. They were able to predict the number of deaths in the insured group based on the patients' medical condition, subsequently applying this figure to the uninsured group.
Although the study does not explain why child mortality is higher among uninsured children, researchers can speculate as to some possible reasons. Uninsured children were found to have shorter, less expensive hospital visits when they died, averaging $8,058 compared with $20,951 in the insured group.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Insurance Quote Site
posted 2/13/10 @ 6:41 AM EST
The number of uninsured children in the country and the World is astounding. Perhaps we can close the gap on this by getting the government to take action on this. (Continued…)
Mike Maiale
posted 2/13/10 @ 9:42 PM EST
I don't know that the conclusions here really make sense. For one thing, you mentioned that uninsured kids are more likely to go to the emergency room. (Continued…)
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