Predicting the preventable: Social drivers of health on pediatric readmissions and emergency department…

Cohort studyHealth psychology : official journal of the Division of Health Psychology, American Psychological Association· Nov 2025

Predicting the preventable: Social drivers of health on pediatric readmissions and emergency department visits.

Kristen A Torres, Doris Valenzuela-Araujo, Michael A Harris … David V Wagner

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Pediatric Hospital MedicineCohort studyQ1IF 2.8

Two-thirds of pediatric readmissions and emergency visits were potentially preventable.

Predicting the preventable: Social drivers of health on pediatric readmissions and emergency department visits.

Kristen A Torres … David V Wagner

Health psychology · Nov 2025 · Q1 in General Medicine

Purpose

This study aimed to examine the extent to which pediatric emergency department visits and admissions are preventable and whether caregiver-reported social factors predict future preventable visits.

Methods

Caregivers of hospitalized children ( N = 249) completed a predischarge survey regarding health care utilization and social drivers of health (e.g., adverse childhood experiences and experiences of racial discrimination).

n = 249

Results

67%

most kids with a readmission or ER visit had one that could have been avoided

n = 249

More results

Statistically significant predictors associated with preventable events included age under 1 ( OR = 4.17), complex/chronic medical status ( OR = 3.03), other children in the home with health concerns ( OR = 1.85), and the presence of a neurocognitive disorder ( OR = 2.97).

More results

Higher caregiver education (incidence rate ratio [IRR] = 0.31) was related to fewer preventable events overall.

Child mental health condition (IRR = 18.62), having a deceased caregiver (IRR = 4.35), and child experiences of racial or ethnic discrimination (IRR = 6.01) were related to more preventable readmissions.

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Conclusion · 1 of 2

A substantial number of AMEs may be preventable. Caregiver reports of social factors should be included in risk assessments to inform tailored interventions and discharge plans based on unique family characteristics.

Conclusion · 2 of 2

Predicting the preventable: Social drivers of health on pediatric readmissions and emergency department visits.

Predicting the preventable: Social drivers of health on pediatric readmissions and emergency department visits.

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