How many children have poor access to healthcare?

Asked by: Justina Abernathy  |  Last update: November 5, 2025
Score: 4.4/5 (47 votes)

Unfinished Business: More than 20 Million Children in U.S. Still Lack Sufficient Access to Essential Health Care.

How many children lack access to healthcare?

More than 4.4 million U.S. children do not have health insurance, according to new figures from the U.S. Census Bureau, representing a half-point increase in the children's uninsured rate since 2022.

Are children a vulnerable population in healthcare?

Children served by public programs are considered vulnerable because they frequently have multiple risk factors for poor health status and poor primary care (e.g., living in poverty and not having health insurance) (Aday 2001).

What percentage of the US population does not have access to healthcare?

The Share of Americans Without Health Insurance in 2023 Remained Low. In 2023, 26 million people — or 8 percent of the population — were uninsured, according to a report in September 2024 from the Census Bureau.

Why is children's poor access to healthcare, education, and safety a problem?

Without health insurance, caregivers of children are less likely to have a regular health care provider and more likely to skip routine health care, placing children at increased risk for poor health outcomes, less educational attainment, and less financial security in adulthood when compared to their insured ...

How are children impacted by limited access to healthcare? | Ramadan 2023

21 related questions found

What is the impact of poor access to healthcare?

Lack of health insurance coverage may negatively affect health. Uninsured adults are less likely to receive preventive services for chronic conditions such as diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular disease.

Why are the first 5 years of a child's life important?

During the first five years, the bonds a child forms create a foundation for emotional regulation, self-esteem and their ability to form healthy relationships. Consistent support during this period fosters a sense of safety and trust.

How many people lack access to healthcare in 2024?

According to newly released data from the National Health Interview Survey, in Q1 2024 the national uninsured rate for all ages was 8.2 percent, which corresponds to 27.1 million individuals. Quarter-to-quarter changes in the national uninsured rate since the first quarter of 2023 are not statistically significant.

Which age category has the highest incidence of those without health insurance?

Adults ages 19 to 64 are more likely to be uninsured than children. In 2023, the uninsured rate for children was 5.3%, less than half the rate for adults at 11.1%.

How many insurance claims are denied each year?

A separate KFF survey also found that people with private insurance are more likely to have denied claims than those with public coverage. Overall, 18% of insured adults said they'd experienced a claim denial in the past 12 months, according to the survey.

At what age is a child most vulnerable?

Children can experience trauma as early as infancy. In fact, young children between the ages of 0 and 5 are the most vulnerable to the effects of trauma since their brains are still in the early formative years.

Who are the most vulnerable populations in healthcare?

17.2. VULNERABLE POPULATIONS
  • The very young and the very old.
  • Individuals with chronic illnesses, disabilities, or communication barriers.
  • Veterans.
  • Racial and ethnic minorities.
  • Individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQ)
  • Victims of human trafficking or sexual violence.

What are the health outcomes of rural children?

Children living in rural areas have a shorter life expectancy and suffer from worse health outcomes compared with their urban counterparts. This disparity is highlighted by higher rates of perinatal conditions, mental and behavioral disorders, obesity, oral health, and other issues.

How many people Cannot afford child care?

69% of parents reported difficulty paying for childcare. 28% of those who previously used childcare services have had to stop as they could no longer afford it. 27% of those paying for childcare have left their job or studies to avoid the cost. 24% say they have reduced their standard of living to pay for childcare.

Who is most affected by lack of healthcare?

Young Adults (Ages 18 Through 24 Years)

Almost three out of every ten young adults do not have health insurance. Members of this age group are nearly twice as likely to be uninsured compared to members of the general population under age 65.

Why is it important for children to have healthcare?

Access to health care is arguably the most basic ingredient for children's healthy development and well- being. Children need medical care to support their physical, cognitive, and emotional development. And the well-being of parents is also enormously critical to child well-being.

What age group uses health care the most?

Older adults use far more health care services than do younger groups. Although older adults vary greatly in terms of health status, the majority of them have at least one chronic condition that requires care.

What happens in America if you can't afford healthcare?

Americans are no longer taxed for not carrying health insurance. Medical debt contributes to a large number of bankruptcies in America. Access to quality primary care is critical, but doctors have the right to refuse patients without insurance or who are able to pay out-of-pocket expenses.

Which age group is the heaviest user of health care services?

Abstract. Elderly patients, aged 65 or older, make up 13.5% of the U.S. population, but represent 45.2% of the top 10% of healthcare utilizers, in terms of expenditures. Middle-aged Americans, aged 45 to 64 make up another 37.0% of that category.

How good will healthcare be in 2050?

By 2050, AI and machine learning algorithms are expected to handle much of the routine interpretation of scans such as X-rays, MRIs, and CTs. These algorithms will offer highly accurate real-time analysis, freeing up specialists to focus on more complex and nuanced cases that require human expertise.

How many Millennials don't have health insurance?

What percentage of millennials don't have health insurance? Statista found that in 2018, 66% of millennials were enrolled in private insurance plans, while 16% of millennials were uninsured.

Who pays for uninsured patients?

Hospitals do get help with the unpaid bills – from taxpayers. The majority of hospitals are non-profits and are exempt from federal, state and local taxes if they provide a community benefit, such as charitable care. Hospitals also receive federal funding to offset some of the costs of treating the poor.

At what age is 90% of the brain developed?

90% of the brain develops before age 5.

The brain is most flexible and adaptable to learning during the earliest years, and as the brain matures, it is less capable of reorganizing and adapting to new or unexpected challenges.

What is the most important age in a child's life?

The first five years are especially crucial for physical, intellectual, and social-emotional development. Keep your child's personality and age in mind when looking for child care experiences and activities.

What are the red flag behaviors of a 5 year old?

5-Year-Old Developmental Red Flags

Shows extremely timid or fearful behavior. Won't separate from parents without a major protest. Shows little interest in playing with other children.