Study: More Than 140,000 Children Lost a Caregiver Due to COVID-19
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) issued a news release on Oct. 7 detailing a new study on disparities in caregiver deaths by race and ethnicity. The study entitled, “COVID-19-Associated Orphanhood and Caregiver Death in the United States,” was published in the October edition of Pediatrics.
The release states that “One U.S. child loses a parent or caregiver for every four COVID-19 deaths, a new modeling study published today in Pediatrics reveals. The findings illustrate orphanhood as a hidden and ongoing secondary tragedy caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and emphasizes that identifying and caring for these children throughout their development is a necessary and urgent part of the pandemic response—both for as long as the pandemic continues, as well as in the post-pandemic era.”
That said, “From April 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021, data suggest that more than 140,000 children under age 18 in the United States lost a parent, custodial grandparent, or grandparent caregiver who provided the child’s home and basic needs, including love, security, and daily care. Overall, the study shows that approximately one out of 500 children in the United States has experienced COVID-19-associated orphanhood or death of a grandparent caregiver. There were racial, ethnic, and geographic disparities in COVID-19-associated death of caregivers: children of racial and ethnic minorities accounted for 65 percent of those who lost a primary caregiver due to the pandemic.”
Children’s lives are significantly impacted by the loss of a mother, father, or grandparent who provided for their basic needs. “Loss of a parent is among the adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) linked to mental health problems; shorter schooling; lower self-esteem; sexual risk behaviors; and increased risk of substance abuse, suicide, violence, sexual abuse, and exploitation,” the release states.
The release explains that “The study was a collaboration between the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Imperial College London, Harvard University, Oxford University, and the University of Cape Town, South Africa. Published in the Oct. 7 issue of the journal Pediatrics, it was jointly led by CDC’s COVID Response and Imperial College London, and partly funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), as well as Imperial College London.”
The analysis for the study used mortality, fertility, and census data to estimate orphanhood (death of one or both parents) and deaths of custodial and co-residing grandparents between April 1, 2020 and June 30, 2021, associated with COVID-19 for the U.S. in every state. “‘COVID-19-associated deaths’ refers to the combination of deaths caused directly by COVID-19 and those caused indirectly by associated causes, such as lockdowns, restrictions on gatherings and movement, decreased access or quality of healthcare and of treatment for chronic diseases,” the release says. “The data were also separated and analyzed by race and ethnicity, including White, Black, Asian, and American Indian/Alaska Native populations, and Hispanic and non-Hispanic populations.”
The release continues saying that 120,630 children in the U.S. lost a primary caregiver (a parent or grandparent who provides basic needs) due to COVID-19- associated death, according to the study’s estimate. On top of that, 22,007 children experienced the death of a secondary caregiver (meaning a grandparent that provides housing but not most basic needs). Overall, 142,637 children are estimated to have had one parent, or a custodial or other co-residing grandparent caregiver die.
“There were significant racial and ethnic disparities in caregiver deaths due to COVID-19. White people represent 61 percent of the total U.S. population and people of racial and ethnic minorities represent 39 percent of the total population,” the release says. “Yet, study results indicate that non-Hispanic White children account for 35 percent of those who lost a primary caregiver (51,381 children), while children of racial and ethnic minorities account for 65 percent of those who lost a primary caregiver (91,256 children).”
Further, “When looking at both primary and secondary caregivers, the study found that findings varied greatly by race/ethnicity: one of every 168 American Indian/Alaska Native children, one of every 310 Black children, one of every 412 Hispanic children, one of every 612 Asian children, and one of every 753 White children experienced orphanhood or death of caregivers. Compared to white children, American Indian/Alaska Native children were 4.5 times more likely to lose a parent or grandparent caregiver, Black children were 2.4 times more likely, and Hispanic children were nearly two times (1.8) more likely.”
There are evidence-based responses that can improve outcomes for children, according to the study, including:
- Families who experience a death must be supported and those needing kinship or foster care must quickly receive services, as maintaining children in their families is a priority
- Child resilience can be strengthened through programs and policies that encourage stable, nurturing relationships and address childhood adversity. Key strategies include:
- Strengthening economic support to families
- Quality childcare and educational support
- Programs focused on improve parenting skills and family relationships
- All strategies must be age specific for children and must be sensitive to racial disparities and structural inequalities—reaching the children who need it most
