274291 Healthcare access and utilization among children of same-sex parents

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Manuel A. Ocasio, BA , Department of Epidemiology & Public Health, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL
Tainya C. Clarke, MPH, MS , Department of Epidemiology & Public Health, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL
Alberto Caban-Martinez, PhD, DO, MPH, CPH , Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL
Jenelle Lin, BS , Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL
Lora E. Fleming, MD, PhD , European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Truro, United Kingdom
David J. Lee, PhD , Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL
Kristopher L. Arheart, EdD , Department of Epidemiology & Public Health, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine - NIOSH Research Group, Miami, FL
Background: Research based on small convenience samples has documented that children of same-sex parents (SSP) are not disadvantaged when compared with their opposite-sex parent (OSP) counterparts. Given the controversy surrounding same-sex marriage and adoption rights across the United States, nationally-representative data are needed to evaluate health indicators among SSP children.

Methods: We pooled 1997-2011 National Health Interview Survey data on 92,238 US children <18 years of age, identifying within this sample households with SSP (n= 360; representing an estimated 133,496 US children of same-sex couples/survey year). Weighted prevalence estimates on healthcare access and utilization indicators were compared among SSP and OSP children. Results: Parent-reported health insurance within the past year was over 93.0% for all children. Children of OSPs and SSPs reported similar prevalence of having a regular source of medical care when sick [Weighted Prevalence: 94.9%; 95% Confidence Interval: (94.7-95.1); versus [93.0%; (89.3-96.6)]. Well-child visits within the past year were comparably high among OSP [74.6%; (74.1-75.0)] and SSP children [75.3%; (68.9-81.6)]. Less than 2% of OSP and SSP children experienced delayed medical care due to cost.

Conclusions: Results indicate no differences in healthcare access and utilization among OSP and SSP children. However, healthcare access comparisons were not possible due to relatively small size in important sub-groups such as male-male head of households, and in low-income households. Additional research on the long-term impact of same-sex parenting on health indicators among their children employing longitudinal study design with a larger sample is warranted.

Learning Areas:
Epidemiology
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
Describe self-reported healthcare access and utilization among children of same-sex couples using nationally-representative survey data. Identify differences in the self-reported prevalence of select healthcare access and utilization indicators between children of same- and opposite-sex parents.

Keywords: Special Populations, Child Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am a Master's student in the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health at the University of Miami and also work as a research manager on studies utilizing large, nationally-representative datasets.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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