Well-being of Parents and Children During the COVID-19 Pandemics: A National Survey

This article in Pediatrics, the official journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, highlights the effects of COVID-19 pandemic widespread disruptions and its impact on daily life. The authors conducted a national survey in June 2020 of parents with children less than 18 to measure changes in health status, insurance status, food security, use of public food assistance resources, child care, and use of health care services since the pandemic began. The results of the survey showed since March 2020, 27% of parents reported worsening mental health for themselves, and 14% reported worsening behavioral health for their children.  This data reflects nearly 1 in 10 families with worsening mental health for themselves and for their children, among whom 48% reported loss of regular child care, 16% reported change in insurance status, and 11% reported worsening food security. Other results of the survey are shared in this report.