A research letter detailed how parental access to electronic health portals affected young adults' health information sharing with providers.

In the study, published in JAMA Pediatrics, investigators surveyed 349 participants through a national online platform from May to August 2023. Demographics included 158 females (45%), 163 males (47%), and 26 individuals identifying as gender minorities (7%). Participant composition showed 195 White (56%); 67 Black or African American (19%); 58 Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin (17%); and 45 Asian (13%) individuals. The data revealed 49% of participants were covered under their parents' insurance plans.

The investigators revealed that 55% of young adults (aged 18 to 26 years) would modify their disclosure of sensitive health information to clinicians if parents could access their portal information. The findings showed that 50% indicated they would be less likely to open a portal account.

The analysis identified distinct patterns across groups:

Gender-based findings:

• 69% of gender minority individuals indicated they would modify information sharing.
• 63% of females vs 46% of males reported they would change information disclosure (P < .01).
• 62% of gender minority respondents indicated hesitation about opening portal accounts.

Sexual orientation findings:

• 67% of sexual minority group members vs 48% of heterosexual respondents indicated they would alter information sharing (P < .01).
• 61% of sexual minority individuals vs 44% of heterosexual respondents reported being less likely to open portal accounts (P < .01).

The research collected open text responses from participants, which included concerns about disclosure of transgender status and mental health treatment information.

The analysis followed the 21st Century Cures Act's mandate for patient access to electronic health information. The investigators noted their online-only sampling approach presented a limitation.

The findings indicated that portal confidentiality policies were typically developed by multispecialty internal working groups, with policies varying across different legal and political environments.

The team used SAS, version 9.4, for statistical analysis, employing Pearson χ² tests to assess response differences. The research adhered to STROBE reporting guidelines and received Weill Cornell Medicine Institutional Review Board approval.

The research received funding through NIH grants R01HL161458 and R01NS123639, and a Weill Cornell Medicine Jumpstart Career Development grant. Researchers from Weill Cornell Medicine and Columbia University School of Nursing conducted the investigation.

One author reported personal fees from Boston Scientific, being a cofounder of and having equity held Iris OB Health, and grants from NIH outside the submitted work. No other disclosures were reported.