Rural Disparities in Early Childhood Well Child Visit Attendance

Purpose Children should attend well child visits (WCVs) during early childhood so that developmental disorders may be identified as possible, treatment can begin. The aim of this research was to determine if rurality impacts access WCV childhood, and altering measurement methods outcomes. Design We utilized a longitudinal correlational design with data gathered from the Virginia All Payer Claims Database, which contains claims Medicaid majority commercial insurance payers (n = 6349). attendance evaluated against three metrics: traditional metric using Rural-Urban Commuting Area codes, developed land variable, distance care at zip code level. Results Two revealed rural children fewer WCVs than their urban counterparts, (67% vs. 50% respectively, metric; 0.035 increase in for every percent land). Differences were attenuated by payer; those private insurance. Conclusions Young non-rural placing them higher risk missing timely disorder screenings. coronavirus disease pandemic has been associated an abrupt significant reduction vaccination rates, likely indicates concomitant Pediatric nurses encourage families young develop plan continued WCVs, identification achieved.