JSIT21-05: Medicaid Receipt and Health Outcomes in Youth with Sickle Cell Disease Living in Poverty

Researchers

Abstract

Youth diagnosed with sickle cell disease (SCD) who are living below the poverty line are at increased risk for morbidity, mortality, and financial burden. The receipt of Medicaid among youth diagnosed with a chronic illness has been associated with favoring outcomes such as increased well-child visits and decreased emergency room (ER) and inpatient visits; however, the relationship between Medicaid receipt and health outcomes among children and adolescents diagnosed with SCD is not well understood. Therefore, this study has identified two aims: (1) to investigate whether the receipt of Medicaid among youth living in poverty who are diagnosed with SCD is associated with the frequency of healthcare utilization (e.g., well-child, ER, & inpatient visits) and (2) analyze whether disease severity (e.g., frequency of pain crises & disease-related symptoms) is linked with the receipt of Medicaid among youth diagnosed with SCD living in poverty. As recipients of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) jointly receive Medicaid, implications of the current study would highlight areas of improvement for Medicaid and SSI policy among qualified youth with chronic illness – specifically those diagnosed with SCD.

Publications

Project Year

2021