27% Of Youth In Foster Care Have Special Health Care Needs, Compared To 21% Of Youth Nationally

The prevalence of special health care needs (SHCNs) is higher among youth in foster care than among youth in the general population, at 27% compared to 21%, according to a recent report. The prevalence of SHCNs among children and youth in foster care increases with age, rising from 20% among those under age 13 to 39% among those ages 13 to 21.

Among children and youth in foster care, the most common SHCNs are emotional disturbance, affecting 57%, and “other diagnosed SHCN,” affecting 59%, which includes chronic illnesses requiring special medical care. The average age of children and youth diagnosed . . .