Unmet Medical and Dental Needs Among Children in the EU

This data reveals a worrying trend in the European Union regarding children's access to healthcare:

Key Findings:

1. Unmet Medical Needs: 3.6% of children under 16 in the EU have unmet medical needs, a significant increase from 1.6% in 2017.Children in households with one adult are more likely to experience unmet needs (5.3%).Poland, Latvia, Hungary, Romania, and Spain have the highest percentages of children with unmet needs.Austria and Luxembourg have the lowest percentages.
2. 3.6% of children under 16 in the EU have unmet medical needs, a significant increase from 1.6% in 2017.
3. Children in households with one adult are more likely to experience unmet needs (5.3%).
4. Poland, Latvia, Hungary, Romania, and Spain have the highest percentages of children with unmet needs.
5. Austria and Luxembourg have the lowest percentages.
6. Unmet Dental Needs: 4.4% of children in the EU lack access to necessary dental care, representing a 1.8 percentage point increase since 2017.Similar to medical needs, children in single-adult households are more affected (7.1%).Latvia, Spain, Hungary, Slovenia, and Portugal have the highest percentages of children with unmet dental needs.Luxembourg, Croatia, Sweden, Austria, and Italy have the lowest percentages.
7. 4.4% of children in the EU lack access to necessary dental care, representing a 1.8 percentage point increase since 2017.
8. Similar to medical needs, children in single-adult households are more affected (7.1%).
9. Latvia, Spain, Hungary, Slovenia, and Portugal have the highest percentages of children with unmet dental needs.
10. Luxembourg, Croatia, Sweden, Austria, and Italy have the lowest percentages.

Concerns and Implications:

1. This rise in unmet medical and dental needs among children indicates potential gaps in healthcare access and affordability across the EU.
2. Children from households with a single adult appear to be particularly disadvantaged.
3. These disparities can have detrimental consequences for children's health and well-being.

Possible Explanations:

1. Financial constraints may limit families' ability to afford treatment.
2. Long waiting lists or geographical barriers might impede access to care.
3. Lack of awareness or information about available services could be a factor.

Importance of Addressing the Issue:

Ensuring all children have access to timely and necessary medical and dental care is crucial for their overall health and development. Further investigation and targeted interventions are necessary to address these disparities and ensure equitable access to healthcare for all children in the EU.