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DC Transition Facts

How are DC teens with special health care needs and their families faring when it comes to transition from pediatric to adult health care?

• Only 34% of DC adolescents with special health care needs are receiving the support they need to transition to adult health care, work and independence, according to the National Survey of Children with Special Health Care Needs.
• Adolescents least likely to receive needed transition support are Black, in families with incomes below 200 percent of the federal poverty level, publicly insured, and without a medical home.
• For more information, see our DC Health Care Transition Fact Sheet.

• Health care transition is a new topic for the teens and parents interviewed in our recent focus group study. Although most appeared to be informed about education transition, few teens and parents reported that they talked to the teen's doctor or nurse about transitioning to an adult doctor.
• Both teens and parents indicated an interest in receiving more information from their child's doctor about adult doctors and health insurance. They preferred face-to-face discussions, but also internet- based information, text messages, and interactive approaches for teens and group meetings or transition kits for parents.
• For more information, see our DC Health Care Transition Focus Group Report.

National Research

• National Transition Report