2023 NHPCO Pediatric Facts and Figures Report Released
For Immediate Release
June 28, 2023
(Alexandria, VA) – The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) has released the 2023 edition of the Pediatric Facts and Figures Report. The newest publication builds on previous versions and has been expanded with data obtained from a 2019-2020 national survey which includes a comprehensive view of pediatric hospice and palliative care across the United States, based on a wide-ranging needs assessment. Of note, section three includes a unique breakdown of service coverage by county and the type (non-metropolitan and metropolitan). This information can be valuable for program development, research, advocacy, and education.
“Pediatric palliative and hospice care in the United States started in the mid to late 1990s. Since then, providers have made much progress with expanding palliative care teams in most children’s hospitals and growing community-based programs in urban areas. However, there is still much to be done to afford children and their families equitable services and care,” said NHPCO’s Pediatric Facts & Figures Workgroup Chair, Dr. Christy Torkildson. “We hope this data will help stimulate a call to action for more research, education, and advocacy to afford children and their families the care and services they deserve when living with serious illness.”
“One key finding that stood out in this year’s report is that less than half of organizations who responded to the 2020 needs assessment have a dedicated pediatric team,” said NHPCO COO and interim CEO, Ben Marcantonio. “There is a wide-spread shortage of highly trained, pediatric palliative and hospice healthcare professionals in the workforce. This is a barrier to meeting the demands of the ever-growing pediatric palliative care needs. It is crucial to create both individual and group education opportunities to address any misperceptions about pediatric care.”
In total, over 481 hospice organizations from all 50 states plus Washington, DC and Puerto Rico contributed to the NHPCO Pediatric Facts and Figures Report, 2023 Edition from their responses to the 2020 needs assessment. Additionally, the Journal of Palliative Medicine recently published the article “State of the Service: Pediatric Palliative and Hospice Community-Based Service Coverage in the United States.” This is based on the 2020 NHPCO Pediatric Needs Assessment and is a product of the NHPCO Pediatric Advisory Council. The article highlights the hospice and palliative care services provided to children, including the staff who provide care and the scope of services. Additionally, a map highlighting service coverage by county across the United States is included. For more information on pediatric hospice and palliative care, see NHPCO’s pediatric pages.
On July 13, NHPCO will host a webinar on Perilous Pediatric Pathways: The Intersection of Adult Hospice and Children. Using a case-based format, the interdisciplinary team will explore the differences and similarities compared to adults.
The Pediatric Facts and Figures, 2023 edition is online and available to the public through NHPCO’s website under “Pediatrics Professional Resources”.
###
About NHPCO
The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) is the nation’s largest and oldest membership association for providers who care for people affected by serious and life-limiting illness. Our members deliver and expand access to high-quality, person-centered interdisciplinary care to millions of Americans. NHPCO provides education and resources to support that mission. Together with our advocacy partner, the Hospice Action Network (HAN), we serve as the leading voice advancing public policy to improve serious-illness and end-of-life care, while our CaringInfo program provides free resources to educate and empower patients and caregivers. nhpco.org
Press Contact:
Madison Summers
NHPCO Communications
Ph: 571-412-3973