Runaway Youth: Caring for the Nation’s Largest Segment of Missing Children

Abstract

The largest segment of missing children in the United States includes runaways, children who run away from home, and thrownaways, children who are told to leave or stay away from home by a household adult. Although estimates vary, as many as 1 in 20 youth run away from home annually. These unaccompanied youth have unique health needs, including high rates of trauma, mental illness, substance use, pregnancy, and sexually transmitted infections. While away, youth who run away are at high risk for additional trauma, victimization, and violence. Runaway and thrownaway youth have high unmet health care needs and limited access to care. Several populations are at particular high risk for runaway episodes, including victims of abuse and neglect; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth; and youth in protective custody. Pediatricians and other health care professionals have a critical role to play in supporting runaway youth, addressing their unique health needs, fostering positive relationships within their families and with other supportive adults, and connecting them with available community resources. This report provides clinical guidance for pediatricians and other health care professionals regarding (1) the identification of adolescents who are at risk for running away or being thrown away and (2) the management of the unique medical, mental health, and social needs of these youth. In partnership with national, state, and local resources, pediatricians can significantly reduce risk and improve long-term outcomes for runaway youth.

Youth Experiencing Homelessness During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Unique Needs and Practical Strategies From International Perspectives

“…YEH are particularly vulnerable during the COVID-19 pandemic [4,5]. Common upstream factors, including racism, homophobia, poverty, structural violence, and civil unrest, simultaneously place youth at risk for homelessness, poor underlying health, and exposure to the SARS-CoV-2 virus, outcomes which, in turn, compound each other [1,2,6,7]. Globally, public health guidelines recommend physical distancing, sheltering at "home," hand hygiene, and, in some countries, wearing a mask.…”

“…Older youth have been displaced as colleges and universities close, and international students faced challenge returning home [9]. The rates of domestic violence in families have increased, a known risk factor for homelessness among youth [2,10].…”

“…Because many of the systems with which marginalized youth interact may be truncated or less accessible during this time, when youth do connect, it is essential that systems screen consistently for housing instability and homelessness and coordinate effectively. In the health care system in particular, health care providers can assess housing status and help youth and families connect with local and national resources [2,16]. Dismantling historic silos across youth-serving systems, such as education, the justice system, child protection/welfare, housing, and healthcare, is one key strategy to facilitate earlier identification of youth at risk of homelessness and connections with much-needed supports to prevent entry into homelessness [1].…”

“…Even in the best of times, youth experiencing homelessness (YEH) face significant morbidities [1,2]. Youth from marginalized communities, many of which are disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, also disproportionately experience homelessness [3,4].…”

Helping and supporting hospitalized youth experiencing homelessness: An American perspective

“…Factors precipitating homelessness are also similar. In the United States, many youth report family conflict, violence, or abuse as reasons for leaving home (Embleton et al, 2016; Gambon et al, 2020). Other contributing factors are pregnancy and identity as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender.…”