Reducing Bias Against Families in Low-Income Homes

Abstract Shields and colleagues raise a concern for bias against low-income families when reporting suspected intentional scald burns. This is a plausible theory, and the development of Child Abuse Pediatrics as a specialty has likely helped reduce bias because they take the sociodemographic factors into account and are keenly aware of housing problems such as water heaters that are not regulated. Bringing their expertise to burn units will help reduce bias, and efforts should focus on public policy changes as described by the authors, but also on parental education to reduce the overall incidence of burn injuries in children.