Financial Challenges Common Among Families of Children with Disabilities

Research published in JAMA Network Open indicates that families of children with disabilities face significantly higher financial hardships compared to families of children without disabilities. The study, led by Amy J. Houtrow, M.D., Ph.D., from the University of Pittsburgh, utilized data from the National Health Interview Survey involving 22,670 children aged 5 to 17 years. Results revealed that 17.4% of children had disabilities, with emotional and behavioral issues being the most frequent types.

The analysis showed that families of children with disabilities are nearly twice as likely to encounter various financial difficulties, including struggles to pay medical bills and heightened worry about medical expenses. Specifically, 22.3% of these families faced hardships versus only 12.6% of families with children without disabilities. They also experienced higher rates of delayed or forgone medical care due to costs, highlighting gaps in insurance coverage adequacy for disabled children.

Moreover, children with disabilities were more often enrolled in public insurance programs or a combination of private and public coverage, suggesting that current insurance options may not fully meet their needs. The findings underscore the urgent need for improved healthcare support and financial assistance tailored to these families to reduce their economic strain.

This research emphasizes the importance of policy reforms aimed at enhancing healthcare affordability and accessibility for children with disabilities and their families.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-04-families-children-disabilities-financial-hardships.html