Researchers from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and Stellenbosch University analysed 29 studies published between 2000 and 2026 to compare death rates between children and adolescents (aged 0–19) with and without disabilities. The analysis covered data from over 35 million children across multiple countries.
This is one of the first large-scale reviews to systematically examine mortality differences by disability status in childhood and adolescence, making it particularly relevant for understanding health equity gaps.
Children with disabilities face five times higher mortality risk
The study found that children and adolescents with disabilities had a 5.31 times higher risk of death from all causes compared to their non-disabled peers. This gap persists even when researchers adjusted for age and sex, suggesting that disability itself—or factors associated with it—significantly affects survival rates.
The finding is consistent across the 16 studies with sufficient data for detailed analysis, indicating this is not an isolated phenomenon but a widespread pattern affecting disabled children globally.
The risk extends across childhood and into adolescence
The increased mortality risk applies to children across the full age range studied (0–19 years), from infancy through the teenage years. This means families cannot assume their disabled child becomes safer from this health risk as they grow older.
The research did not break down specific types of disability or causes of death in detail, so the exact reasons for this gap require further investigation. However, the scale of the difference suggests systemic barriers in healthcare access, preventive care, or disease management for disabled children.
What this means for Singapore families with disabled children
- Ensure regular health check-ups and preventive care, as disabled children may need closer monitoring to reduce avoidable health complications.
- Advocate with healthcare providers for comprehensive disability-informed care that accounts for your child's specific needs and vulnerabilities.
- Connect with disability support services and community resources that can help bridge gaps in healthcare access and social support.