title: Physical Health Problems and Barriers to Optimal Health Care Among Children in Foster Care.
abstract: Children and adolescents in foster care placement represent a unique population with special health care needs, often resulting from pre-placement early adversity and neglected, unaddressed health care needs. High rates of all health problems, including acute and/or chronic physical, mental, and developmental issues prevail. Disparities in health status and access to health care are observed. This article summarizes the physical health problems of children in foster care, who are predisposed to poor health outcomes when complex care needs are unaddressed. Despite recognition of the significant burden of health care need among this unique population, barriers to effective and optimal health care delivery remain. Legislative solutions to overcome obstacles to health care delivery for children in foster care are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Safe Place: Center for Child Protection and Health, The Children׳s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA. Electronic address: DeutschS@email.chop.edu.
authors.forename: Stephanie Anne
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Deutsch
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Safe Place: Center for Child Protection and Health, The Children׳s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA; Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA.
authors.forename: Kristine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fortin
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D002669:Child Welfare; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005260:Female; D005581:Foster Home Care / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology*; D006304:Health Status; D054625:Healthcare Disparities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D035862:Vulnerable Populations