Patterns of Pediatric Hospitalization in an Inner-City Hospital

Abstract

Between 2000 and 2004, 64.1% of all admissions to Michigan hospitals for patients 18 years and under were newborns. • Teen pregnancy is the second most common cause for female pediatric hospitalization in Michigan. • Low socioeconomic status leads to increased admission to local hospitals. • Medicaid provides health care services to individuals and families with low annual incomes and resources and includes children, pregnant women, parents of eligible children, and low-income families. • 19.6% of African Americans have poor health care insurance or are uninsured. Ethnic disparities in health care have been associated with a higher risk for hospitalization.