Affiliations: Bureau of Primary Health Care, Health Resources and
Services Administration, US Department of Health and Human Services, Rockville,
MD, USA | Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics,
University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA | Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia,
PA, USA
Note: [] Corresponding author: Sue C. Lin, Bureau of Primary Health Care,
Health Resources and Services Administration 5600 Fishers Lane, 16W54
Rockville, MD 20857, USA. Tel.: +1 301 443 2923; Fax: +1 301 594 5224; E-mail: slin@hrsa.gov
Abstract: PURPOSE: Transition to adulthood can be very challenging for
children with special health care needs (CSHCN) especially for those with
disabilities who experience functional limitations in activities at home, in
school, and in the community. The study examined the transition outcomes in
areas of health, education, and independent living for young adult with special
health care needs (YASHCN) with disabilities. METHOD: The study is a
secondary data analysis of the 2007 Survey of Adult Transition and Health
(SATH). Multivariate logistic regression analysis assessed the association
between having disabilities and the transition outcomes. RESULTS: Overall, YASHCN with disabilities reported favorable health related transition
outcomes with improved access to primary care, care coordination, and physician
engagement in transition discussions and connection to mentors. Furthermore,
YASCHN with disabilities had higher odds of receiving Medicaid or other
insurance for low income or disabilities as an adult (AOR=5.26, 95% CI=3.74, 7.04). However, they were less likely to report having control over
personal finances, making friends, and obtaining a high school diploma. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that YASHCN with disabilities may be among
the small proportion of CSHCNs who had a positive transition to adult health
care services. However, transition outcomes related to independent living still
need more improvements.
Keywords: Transition outcome, disabilities, health, independent living
