Unmet social needs in pediatric rheumatic disease: a study of disparities
Authors' conclusion
Children with rheumatic disease experience substantial social determinants of health-related inequities, especially those with Systemic lupus or Juvenile dermatomyositis, Hispanic/Latino ethnicity, Spanish-speaking, or non/underinsurance.
Study context
- Population
- Caregivers of children with JIA, SLE or JDM at routine pediatric rheumatology clinic visits, February to May 2023 (mean age 12.1 years; 74.1% female)
- Participants
- 417 caregiver surveys
- Exposure
- Social determinants of health by diagnosis, language, ethnicity, insurance and neighborhood disadvantage
- Outcome
- Caregiver-reported unmet social needs (education, health literacy, food security, housing stability, transportation, social work needs)
Methodological detailscaregiver surveys in English or Spanish during routine clinic visits, complete case analysis
- Caregiver surveys in English or Spanish during routine clinic visits
- Complete case analysis
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
≥ 1 unmet social need
- Caregivers reporting ≥ 1 unmet social need
- 39.1%
- Requested social work support
- 8.9%
- Unmet needs, Spanish-speaking families
- 83%
- Unmet needs, Hispanic/Latino caregivers
- 56%
- Unmet needs, publicly insured households
- 59%
- Unmet needs, uninsured households
- 45%
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Food insecurity by diagnosis
Higher Area Deprivation Index
- Associated with lower caregiver education, limited health literacy, food insecurity, transportation barriers, and housing instability
- all P < 0.05
Original publication
Unmet social needs in pediatric rheumatic disease: a study of disparities. Pediatr Rheumatol Online J. Published 19 March 2026. doi:10.
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