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Article
End-of-life Trends and Patterns Among Children in the US Foster Care System: 2005-2015
Death Studies (2018)
  • Lisa C. Lindley, University of Tennessee
  • Elspeth M. Slayter, Salem State University
Abstract
Drawing on national, longitudinal Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System data (2005-2015), demographic, health, foster care, and geographic characteristics of decedents (N = 3,653) aged 1-17 years were examined. On average, decedents were 6 years old, the highest proportion died as infants, and experienced significant trauma in their short lives either through maltreatment or exposure to parental substance use. A noted increase in Medicaid coverage among decedents over time suggests critical access to concurrent treatment and hospice care, but this is unavailable to children with private insurance. This study has policy implications related to the 2010 Affordable Care Act.
Keywords
  • adolescents,
  • children,
  • death of a child,
  • end of life,
  • pediatrics
Publication Date
May 14, 2018
DOI
10.1080/07481187.2018.1455765
Citation Information
Lisa C. Lindley and Elspeth M. Slayter. "End-of-life Trends and Patterns Among Children in the US Foster Care System: 2005-2015" Death Studies (2018)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/elspeth-slayter/20/