Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 27, 2026

A Novel Method for Involving Women of Color at High Risk for Preterm Birth in Research Priority Setting
14:43

A Novel Method for Involving Women of Color at High Risk for Preterm Birth in Research Priority Setting

Published on: January 12, 2018

Prevalence and Correlates of Families' Unmet Social Needs in Pediatric Primary Care Settings

Kristen A Waters1, Serena K Kaul1, Sritha R Donepudi1

  • 1Boonshoft School of Medicine, Wright State University, Fairborn, OH 45324, USA.

Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)
|June 26, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Families with unmet social needs face adverse outcomes for children. Factors like underinsurance, depression, and chronic conditions increase these needs, while social support can decrease them.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Public Health
  • Sociology

Background:

  • Children experiencing unmet social needs face higher risks of adverse health outcomes.
  • Identifying factors associated with these needs is crucial for targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify factors associated with unmet social needs in families with children.
  • To understand the relationship between social determinants and children's health outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional study of 1114 primary caregivers of children under 18.
  • Utilized validated surveys assessing social support, capital, depression, child health, and social needs.
  • Data analyzed using chi-square, logistic regression, and ANOVA.

Main Results:

  • Underinsurance, positive depression screens, and poor child health were linked to increased unmet social needs.
  • Higher social support and social capital were associated with fewer unmet social needs.
  • Reporting two or more unmet social needs correlated with underinsurance, income <$50,000, depression, chronic child health conditions, and Black race/ethnicity.

Conclusions:

  • Multiple social factors independently predict unmet social needs in families.
  • These findings underscore the intricate relationship between social determinants and pediatric healthcare.
  • Further research is needed to explore the long-term stability of these associations.

Keywords:
childhood chronic health conditionsprimary careprimary caregiver healthsocial determinants of healthunderinsuranceunmet social needs

Related Concept Videos

Primary Healthcare Services01:30

Primary Healthcare Services

Primary care promotes wellness and prevents disease. This care includes health promotion, education, protection (such as immunizations), early disease screening, and environmental considerations. Settings providing this type of healthcare include physician offices, public health clinics, school nursing, and community health nursing.
In 1978, international leaders convened in Alma-Ata, Kazakhstan, for what would be a pivotal event in global health. The Alma-Ata Declaration was the first to call...
Specialized Care Centers and Settings-II01:30

Specialized Care Centers and Settings-II

Rural Health Centers
Rural health centers are specialized care facilities in remote locations with very few medical personnel. The primary care providers who run the centers are mostly Registered Nurse Practitioners. Here, emergency treatment is provided to critically ill or injured patients before they are transferred to the closest hospital. Fortunately, due to advancement in technology, many rural healthcare facilities and professionals have easy access to diagnostic and treatment...
Autism Spectrum Disorder01:19

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition marked by persistent deficits in social communication and interaction alongside restrictive and repetitive behaviors or interests. ASD is sometimes accompanied by intellectual impairment.
These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.
Prevalence and Incidence01:08

Prevalence and Incidence

In statistical epidemiology and health sciences, two essential metrics—prevalence and incidence—are fundamental for understanding disease dynamics within a population. These measures enable public health officials, epidemiologists, and researchers to assess the burden of diseases, allocate resources effectively, and design impactful public health policies and interventions.
Prevalence indicates the proportion of individuals in a population who have a specific disease or health condition at a...
Preventive Healthcare Services01:30

Preventive Healthcare Services

Preventive healthcare services keep people healthy via frequent check-ups, screening, and counseling. They primarily aid in disease prevention rather than treating an acute or chronic illness. Preventive treatment also keeps individuals productive and energetic, allowing them to work well into their retirement years. Examples of preventive care services include:
Relationship with Other Adult Family Members and Siblings01:29

Relationship with Other Adult Family Members and Siblings

Other adult family members and siblings play a crucial role in shaping children’s social and emotional development. While parents or primary caregivers are often the central figures in early attachment and socialization, other adults in a child’s life, such as grandparents, aunts, and uncles, can significantly influence developmental outcomes. These influences depend on each adult’s personality and may help compensate when a primary caregiver is emotionally distant or inconsistent. For...