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Unmet eye care needs among U.S. 5th-grade students
Xinzhi Zhang1, Marc N Elliott, Jinan B Saaddine
1National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, CDC, Atlanta, Georgia 30341-3727, USA. XZhang4@cdc.gov
American Journal of Preventive Medicine
|June 19, 2012
Summary
Socioeconomic status and health insurance significantly impact children's vision care access. Lower income and lack of insurance increase unmet eye care needs for 5th graders, highlighting a need for targeted policies.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Ophthalmology
- Public Health
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Disparities in adult eye care access are documented, but children's eye care disparities are less understood.
- Limited research exists on health disparities specific to children's vision needs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of unmet eye care needs among 5th-grade students.
- To identify risk factors associated with these unmet needs, focusing on affordability and insurance.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from 5147 5th-grade students and their parents in the Healthy Passages study (2004-2006).
- Logistic regression used to assess inability to afford eyeglasses and lack of vision insurance.
- Controlled for socioeconomic status (SES) and general health insurance status.
Main Results:
- 13.7% of parents could not afford needed eyeglasses for their children.
- 27.4% of parents reported no vision insurance coverage for eye exams or glasses.
- Parents without general health insurance, and those with lower incomes (<$15,000), were significantly more likely to report unmet eye care needs.
Conclusions:
- Socioeconomic status and health insurance are key factors in 5th graders' unmet eye care needs.
- Targeted policies for disadvantaged and uninsured populations are necessary to reduce vision care access disparities.
- Addressing financial and insurance barriers is crucial for equitable children's eye care.
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