Youth Mental Health in the Wake of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Objective: In this article we examine the current state of youth mental health across the United States and in Delaware, and discuss the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health and well-being of children and adolescents.

Methods: We review available literature detailing the short- and long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on youth mental health and discuss the resultant programmatic and legislative efforts in Delaware and nationally.

Results: The COVID-19 pandemic had a severe impact on the mental health of young people.

Postpartum long-acting reversible contraceptive adoption after a statewide initiative.

Objectives: To examine the effects of a comprehensive, multiyear (2015-2020) statewide contraceptive access intervention in Delaware on the contraceptive initiation of postpartum Medicaid patients. The program aimed to increase access to all contraceptives, including long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARC). The program included interventions specifically targeting postpartum patients (Medicaid payment reform and hospital-based immediate postpartum (IPP) LARC training) and interventions in outpatient settings (provider training and operational supports).

LGBTQ+ Youth Homelessness in Delaware:: Building a Case for Targeted Surveillance and Assessment of LGBTQ+ Youth Needs and Experiences.

Objective: In this article, we examine the issue of LGBTQ+ youth homelessness in Delaware, summarize current services available and prior research work that has been done, examining the number, needs, and experiences of unaccompanied unhoused LGBTQ+ youth.

Methods: We provide a literature review detailing risks associated with LGBTQ+ youth homelessness, resources available, and prior studies and surveys examining this population.

Results: LGBTQ+ youth experiencing homelessness are particularly vulnerable to physical and mental health challenges, abuse, and violence.

Same-day long-acting reversible contraceptive utilization after a statewide contraceptive access initiative.

Background: Same-day placement of long-acting reversible contraceptives, occurring when the device is requested and placed within a single visit, reduces barriers to the patient and reduces unintended pregnancies. Despite the safety and efficacy of same-day placement, access to same-day services remains low.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the Delaware Contraceptive Access Now initiative, a statewide initiative in Delaware focused on increasing same-day access to effective contraception on same-day receipt of long-acting reversible contraceptives.

Delaware Contraceptive Access Now and Contraceptive Initiation Among Medicaid Enrollees, 2015‒2020.

Delaware Contraceptive Access Now was a statewide contraceptive access program implemented in Delaware between 2015 and 2020. We evaluated the association of the program with contraceptive initiation in Delaware's Medicaid program using a difference-in-differences design that compared changes in Delaware to changes in Maryland. Results suggest that program implementation was associated with increased initiation of long-acting reversible methods, particularly among adolescent patients aged 15 to 18 years.

Postpartum contraception method type and risk of a short interpregnancy interval in a state Medicaid population.

Objective: To evaluate the likelihood of a short interpregnancy interval (IPI) resulting in a birth among women covered by Medicaid, as a function of postpartum contraceptive method type.

Study Design: We used Medicaid claims and eligibility data to identify women (aged 15-44) who had a Medicaid-financed birth in Delaware in the years 2012-2014 (n = 10,328). Claims were analyzed to determine postpartum contraceptive type within 60 days of the index birth, and linked birth certificates were used to determine the incidence and timing of a subsequent birth through 2018 (regardless of payer).