Studying Racial and Ethnic Health Care Disparities Among Children with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Using the National Survey of Children with Special Health Care Needs

Abstract

Abstract Background: There is strong evidence that racial and ethnic minorities have worse health care and health outcomes in the United States. However, little is known about racial and ethnic disparities among children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Method: Using data from the 2009/2010 National Survey of Children with Special Health Care Needs, we examined racial and ethnic disparities in the receipt of a medical home among children with intellectual and developmental disabilities, whether these disparities are moderated by family income, and the impact of parent’s language on disparities among the Latino sample. Descriptive bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed. Results: There were significant racial disparities in health outcomes between Black and White children and Latino and non-Latino White children. The majority of children in the study, regardless of race or ethnicity, did not meet the criteria for having a medical home. Only 31% of White, 23% of Black children, and 22% of Latino children had a medical home. Racial and ethnic disparities in usual source of care were exacerbated at lower income levels. Surprisingly, Spanish-speaking Latino parents were more likely to report their child had a personal doctor than English-speaking Latino parents. Conclusion: This study provides evidence of racial and ethnic health care disparities among children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Furthermore, this study provides troubling evidence of the small percentage of children in this population who meet medical home criteria. Assertive policy and practice measures are needed not only to reduce racial and ethnic disparities but also to increase the number of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities who have a medical home.