Original article: Niños sin médico y adolescentes con ansiedad: la otra cara de la crisis económica en Argentina The latest Social Debt Barometer for Childhood from the Universidad Católica Argentina (UCA) has uncovered a troubling situation: the economic crisis is not only forcing countless children to delay vital medical care but is also leaving a significant mark on their mental health. By the end of 2025, one in five children has ceased visiting doctors due to financial constraints, while almost two out of ten adolescents show signs of anxiety or depression, according to their adult caretakers. The UCA report, which assesses the evolution of living conditions for children and adolescents, highlights a paradox in the healthcare system.

Although overall access has improved slightly, the proportion of children without medical coverage has increased. Specifically, the percentage of children without health insurance or pre-paid medical plans rose from 57. 5% to 61.

2% between 2024 and 2025, solidifying an upward trend that has been noted for some time. One in Five Children Misses Medical Check-Ups Among the alarming findings highlighted in the study is that “one in five children (19. 8%) have stopped attending check-ups for economic reasons,” with an even greater postponement noted in dental care.

The social gap is striking: among the highest and lowest income groups, there are differences of up to twenty percentage points in these postponements. Beyond the statistics related to medical care, the UCA study included measurements that raise significant alarms: the mental health of children and adolescents. 18% of Adolescents Show Anxiety According to the observations of responsible adults, 18.

1% of those under 17 years display symptoms of sadness or anxiety. This issue worsens as they grow older, reaching 21. 2% among adolescents and impacting women more severely, with 24.

7% of girls and young women suffering these symptoms compared to 18% of boys. “In the most vulnerable sectors, emotional problems affect 20. 7% of children, nearly double the rate of those in higher-income households (10.

6%),” stated El Destape, referring to the Barometer. The consequences are not solely emotional, as the presence of these symptoms increases the likelihood of learning difficulties by 46%, creating a vicious cycle linking poverty, psychological distress, and academic performance. Overcrowding Rises in Low-Income Families The report also addresses housing conditions, another vital indicator of the crisis.

After several years of consistent improvements, 2025 saw a concerning regression: overcrowding increased from 18. 3% to 20. 9%, while sanitation deficits (lack of sewers, running water, or flush toilets) rose from 39.

1% to 42%. These deficiencies are not evenly distributed. In the most vulnerable households, the sanitation deficit climbs to 57.

6%, while in the middle-income professional sectors, it barely reaches 3. 1%. A similar trend is observed with overcrowding: a poor child is twelve times more likely to live in overcrowded conditions compared to a child from a family with better economic standing.

Indeed, while the rate of overcrowding among low-income sectors increased from 26. 2% to 33. 2%, it remained around 6.

7% in non-poor households. Difficulties related to access to food, another issue that seemed to be improving, remain a significant concern. The survey indicates that 28.

8% of children and adolescents faced food insecurity in 2025, with 13. 2% experiencing it in its most severe form. This issue primarily affects low-income households, with a higher incidence among lower socioeconomic strata and in the Greater Buenos Aires area, where inflation and loss of purchasing power due to the policies of the far-right government of Javier Milei hit hardest.

The Barometer results are alarming as, alongside the growing economic crisis, there is also an increase in the number of children and adolescents who lack the resources for medical consultations and experience symptoms of anxiety.