Providing Health Care for an Extremely At-risk Population: Children Who Are Incarcerated

One of the pediatric populations most in-need of health care is also one of the most hidden pediatric populations: children who are incarcerated.

They have 10x the rate of sexually transmitted infections as their peers. More than 25% have a mental health disorder that warrants immediate treatment. More than half need dental care, some urgently. Black adolescents are 5x more likely to be detained, and Latino youth are 3x more likely to be detained, than White adolescents.

A new report in Pediatrics Nationwide illustrates just how much help these young people need, and how Nationwide Children’s Hospital and the Franklin County, Ohio juvenile justice system are partnering to deliver it.

“In juvenile justice, sometimes people are afraid of these kids,” says Beth Gill, Franklin County Domestic Relations and Juvenile Court judge. “You have to see their humanity. You have to realize these are just someone’s hurting children. You understand that they need a lot of care that goes beyond just the immediate physical needs.”

Together over the last decade, Nationwide Children’s and the Franklin County Juvenile Intervention Center have transformed care inside the center. These children were once treated only for conditions that absolutely couldn’t wait. Now, Nationwide Children’s works to address all of a child’s needs while they are detained, from immediate dental problems to long-term management of chronic conditions like diabetes.

Nationwide Children’s also now coordinates care for these young people when they are released from the Juvenile Intervention Center, so the health gains they made while detained can be maintained.