More than 140,000 U.S. children have experienced the death of a parent or grandparent caregiver during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the risk of loss was 1.1 to 4.5 times higher among children of racial and ethnic minorities, according to new research. Overall, the study shows that approximately 1 out of 500 children in the United States has experienced COVID-19-associated orphanhood or death of a grandparent caregiver The study, “COVID-19-Associated Orphanhood and Caregiver Death in the United States,” will be pre-published online in Pediatrics on Thursday, Oct. 7 (to be published in the December 2021 issue).
Researchers analyzed data from April 1, 2020, through June 30, 2021, provided by the National Center for Health Statistics. They found high rates of orphanhood, marked disparities, and state-specific differences that showed children at greatest risk, in states most affected. The authors estimate that children of racial and ethnic minorities account for 65% of those who lost a primary caregiver, while White children account for 35% of those who lost a primary caregiver. Yet, demographic data show that racial and ethnic minority populations represent 39% of the total U.S. population, while White persons represent 61% of the total population.
The highest burden of COVID-19-associated death of parents and primary caregivers occurred in Southern border states for Hispanic children (representing 50-67% of affected children), Southeastern states for Black children (representing 45-57% of affected children), and in states with tribal areas for American Indian/Alaska Native populations (representing 18-55% of affected children).
The authors suggest a multipronged approach to: prevent COVID19-associated death of caregivers by accelerating equitable access to vaccines; prepare safe and loving family-based care support services; and protect children using evidence-based strategies that address their increased risks of childhood adversity and violence and strengthen their recovery. Children losing caregivers to COVID-19 need care and safe, stable, and nurturing families with economic support, quality childcare and evidence-based parenting support programs, the study also concludes. This is a prepublication version of an article that has undergone peer review and been accepted for publication but is not the final version of record.
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The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 67,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults.