4,200 NY kids lose parent to COVID-19
Report: Loss can create obstacles to better life
At least 4,200 children in New York had a parent or caregiver killed by COVID-19, and 325,000 children were pushed into or near poverty because of the pandemic’s economic fallout, a study found.
The coronavirus crisis disproportionately hit children in communities of color. Black and Hispanic children faced the death of a parent or caregiver at twice the rate of Asian and white children, according to the report by United Hospital Fund, a public health advocacy group.
“This pandemic is like nothing we’ve ever seen before. The closest comparison in the state would be 9/11, when more than 3,000 children lost a parent,” said Suzanne Brundage, coauthor of the report.
“Losing a parent or caregiver during childhood raises a child’s risk of developing a range of poor outcomes over their lifetime, including poorer mental and physical health,” she said. Among the findings of the report:
• 1 in 600 Black children and 1 in 700 Hispanic children had a parent or caregiver killed by COVID-19, compared with 1 in 1,400 Asian children and 1 in 1,500 white children.
• Up to 50% of children who lost a parent or caregiver to COVID-19 may enter poverty, and up to 23% are at risk of entry into foster or kinship care.
• More than 1 million children had at least one parent lose a job during the pandemic.
• As a result of the job losses, about 325,000 children live in or near poverty, defined as below 200% of the federal poverty level.
The study evaluated data from March through July, including an analysis by the Boston Consulting Group.
Outside New York City and Long Island, the highest numbers of children thrust into or near poverty included counties across the Hudson Valley, Finger Lakes and Southern Tier.
The report estimated about $800 million will be needed over the next year in housing, food, health insurance and remote learning investments to support the basic needs of children affected by the pandemic.
The long-range repercussions on children will result in about $1.7 billion in additional costs to the state over the next 50 years, as well as $8.5 billion in annual earnings lost because of learning deficits associated with a disrupted education, the report said.
“As New Yorkers determine how to respond to the pandemic during a precarious city and state budget situation, it is critical not to lose sight of its immediate and long-term effects on child poverty, mental health and overall well-being,” said Anthony Shih, president of the United Hospital Fund.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo has urged federal lawmakers to include COVID-19-related financial aid for state and local governments in any forthcoming economic relief packages.
New York faces budget holes of more than $13 billion this fiscal year and $61 billion over the next four years in connection to the pandemic, state officials said.