1172-P: The Social Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Children with Diabetes Free

Aims: The aim of the study was to evaluate the social impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on youth with diabetes in Northeast Ohio from March 2020 through October 2022, and assess for disparate impact on minority and socially disadvantaged groups.

Methods: An email survey was distributed to 609 families of children with diabetes who met the inclusion criteria: age 7-20 years, followed by our clinic, and T1DM (duration 2+ years) or T2DM (duration 1+ years) prior to the pandemic. The survey asked several questions in 5 categories (housing, guardian's job loss, medical care disruption, schooling disruption and death of household member from COVID-19). Responding yes to any question in a category constituted an adverse social event (ASE). COVID-19 infection, hospitalization and vaccination status were collected. Between group differences were examined with a Fisher's Exact Test.

Results: Sixty two parents (10%) answered the survey, of whom 33 (53%) reported no ASE, 22 (35%)reported one ASE, and 7 (11%) reported 2 or more ASEs. Six respondents were Black and five were Hispanic. Among Black participants 1 (17%) had 1 ASE and 1 (17%) had 2 or more ASE, which was not statistically different than White participants. Among Hispanic participants 2 (40%) had one ASE and2 (40%) had 2 or more ASEs, which was numerically higher than the rates seen in non-Hispanic participants and approached statistical significance, p=0.068. Rates of ASE did not differ by insurance type or income level. Rates of COVID-19 infection and hospitalization did not differ between racial and ethnic groups. COVID 19 vaccination occurred at similar rates for Black and White participants; however, only 20% of Hispanic children received a COVID-19 vaccination, compared to 70% of non-Hispanic participants, p=0.04.

Conclusion: Forty six percent of children with diabetes experienced one or more ASE during theCOVID-19 pandemic. Our survey suggests that rates of ASE may have been higher in Hispanicchildren, who were also less likely to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.