A commentary on the healthcare transition policy landscape for youth with disabilities or chronic health conditions, the need for an inclusive and equitable approach, and recommendations for change in Canada

• DOI: 10.3389/fresc.2023.1305084
• Publication Date: 2023-12-14T13:44:50Z
• Authors: Linda Nguyen; Claire Dawe-McCord; Michael Frost; Musa Arafeh; Kyle Chambers; Dana Arafeh; Kinga Pozniak; Donna Thomson; JoAnne Mosel; Roberta Cardoso; Barb Galuppi; Sonya Strohm; Alicia Via-Dufres...; Caitlin Cassidy; Dayle McCauley; Shelley Doucet; Hana Alazem; Anne Fournier; Ariane Marelli; Jan Willem Gorter
• Keywords: Mandate; Equity

There is a growing number of youth with healthcare needs such as disabilities or chronic health conditions who require lifelong care. In Canada, transfer to the adult system typically occurs at age 18 and set by policy regardless whether their families are ready. When transition services suboptimal, may experience detrimental gaps in resulting increased visits emergency department poor outcomes. Despite critical need support system, there limited legislation ensure successful mandate preparation Canada. This advocacy planning work was conducted partnership Patient Family Advisory Council (PFAC) within CHILD-BRIGHT READYorNot™ Brain-Based Disabilities (BBD) Project Policy Hub. Together, we identified synthesize better understand existing policies about from pediatric healthcare, recommend solutions improve access equity Canadian become adults. this perspective paper, will report on dialogue key informants make recommendations for change healthcare/community, provincial and/or territorial, national levels.