Open AccessIncrease in Child Abuse Injuries during the COVID-19 Pandemic in West Texas
Author(s) -
Hector Linares Garcia,
Thomas Wyatt,
Amber Tucker,
Sharmila Dissanaike
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
the southwest respiratory and critical care chronicles
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2325-9205
DOI - 10.12746/swrccc.v9i39.817
Subject(s) - pandemic , psychosocial , unemployment , child abuse , medicine , socioeconomic status , distress , covid-19 , psychiatry , psychology , suicide prevention , medical emergency , poison control , environmental health , clinical psychology , economic growth , disease , population , pathology , infectious disease (medical specialty) , economics
The COVID-19 pandemic led to a rapid increase in unemployment and business closures, leaving many families in psychosocial distress, and putting the well-being and healthy development of children at risk. There has been a sharp increase in cases of child abuse presenting to our institution during the year 2020. Thus, we sought to quantify whether the confluence of pandemic-related social changes would result in an increase in child abuse cases severe enough to warrant emergency medical attention in the West Texas region. Through this report, we hope to underscore the need for continued vigilance by healthcare providers and educators in identifying cases of child abuse, as well as the need for additional initiatives to mitigate child maltreatment during times of socioeconomic stress.