Child Mental Health Status in Flint, Michigan: A Worsening Health Inequity, 2018-2022.

Abstract

<b>Objectives.</b> To determine the burden of mental health disorders among children enrolled in Michigan's Flint Registry in the context of a local public health crisis and a nationally declared pediatric mental health crisis. <b>Methods.</b> This survey-based study included 1203 children aged 3 to 17 years whose caregivers enrolled them in the Flint Registry between December 2018 and March 2020 and who completed a follow-up survey between October 2020 and March 2022. The baseline and follow-up surveys included caregiver reports of childhood anxiety and depression and overall mental health wellness. <b>Results.</b> At enrollment, Flint Registry caregivers reported significantly higher rates of anxiety and depression among their children than caregivers reported nationally (12.9% vs 9.4% and 8.2% vs 4.4%; <i>P</i> < .001). Flint Registry caregivers also reported declines in their children's overall mental health wellness at follow-up, <i>t</i>(1472) = -4.17; <i>P</i> < .001. <b>Conclusions.</b> Our findings reveal a disparate burden of pediatric mental health disorders and exemplify the health inequities vulnerable populations face. <b>Public Health Implications.</b> More proactive and preventive steps should be taken to lessen this burden, especially in chronically disadvantaged communities that experience public health crises. (<i>Am J Public Health.</i> 2023;113(12):1318-1321. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2023.307406).