Delayed or Forgone Healthcare Among Young Adults with Special Health Care Needs

In 2002, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians, and the American College of Physicians-American Society of Internal Medicine jointly approved a consensus statement on health care transitions for young adults with special health care needs (YASHCN). This statement recognized the pressing need to assist YASHCN with guidance and support to transition into adult health care systems and ultimately full integration into adult society. Publicly funded transition initiatives may be sporadic and fragmented based on the changing priorities of federal and state governments. The research gaps in understanding risk factors of forgone or delayed health care for YASHCN necessitate exploration into the impact of health insurance coverage, demographic and explanatory variables. This study analyzed the Survey of Adult Transition and Health (SATH), a national survey administered by the National Center on Health Statistics (NCHS) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The findings indicated that YASHCN need support from family members, health care providers, or organized community groups to guide the development of a transition plan for youth; furthermore, YASHCN who are older, female, uninsured, and have a disability were at higher risk for unsuccessful health care transition. With the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, it will be critical to see that all Americans, including YASCHN, have access to a coherent system of high quality, comprehensive and affordable health care that meets their individual needs and enables them to be healthy, live independently, and participate actively in their communities throughout their life course.