# Presentation: 305862

## The NationalSurvey of Children’s Health

**Centers for Disease Control and Prevention**
**National Center for Health Statistics**

- Stephen Blumberg

**Notes:**
Presented as a workshop for the Association of University Centers on Disabilities, April 27, 2004.

## National Survey ofChildren’s Health, 2003

- To produce national and State-based estimates on the health and well-being of children, their families, and their communities

## Recent Surveys ConductedUsing the SLAITS Mechanism

- National Survey of Early Childhood Health
- National Survey of Children with Special Health Care Needs
- National Asthma Survey
- National Survey of Children’s Health

**Notes:**
Q2. I understand that the National Survey on Children’s Health is part of the State and Local Area Integrated Telephone Survey (SLAITS) program.  Can you give us a brief overview of recent of SLAITS surveys and the interview process?

## Interview Process

- Independent random-digit-dial samples for all 50 states plus D.C. (2,000 per State)
- Screened households for children under 18 years of age
- Interview was about 29 minutes (English and Spanish)
- Respondent was parent/guardian most knowledgeable about the child’s health (79% mother, 17% father, 3% guardian)
- Data collected from January 2003 to July 2004

## Final Sample

- 102,353 completed interviews
- Minimum:	1,483 in Utah
- Maximum:	2,241 in Louisiana and Ohio
- 25 states have more than 2,000 each
- Overall response rate: 55.3%
- Minimum:	49.6% in New Jersey
- Maximum:	64.4% in South Dakota
- 32 states were above 55%

**Notes:**
Q3.  Tell us more about the sample population that you surveyed.  

## NSCH Survey Domains

## Unique Features 	

- Comprehensive detailed snapshot
- Child – family – neighborhood
- Contains a variety of _positive_ indicators to track youth development:
- family strengths
- family relationships and behavior
- family processes
- household routines

## Health and Functional Status 	

- Child’s general health status
- Height and weight
- CSHCN screener
- Selected health conditions
- Severity of most severe condition
- Asthma medication use and hospitalization
- ADD/ADHD medication use
- Dental health
- Mental and emotional health

## Health Care Coverage and Access 	

- Current and past year coverage
- Coverage by Medicaid/SCHIP
- Dental insurance
- Utilization of:
- Preventive care
- Emergency rooms
- Preventive dental care
- Prescription medication
- Mental health care
- Unmet needs for care
- Hepatitis A vaccinations

## Age Appropriate Care

**Early Childhood Topics**
- Parental concerns about learning, development, and behavior
- Child care attendance
- Injuries and poisonings
- Breastfeeding
- Reading
**Middle and Childhood Adolescence**
- School attendance and problems
- After-school activities
- Parental involvement in activities
- Relative number of child’s friends that parent has met
- Child self-care
- Community service / volunteer work
- Employment of child

## Families and Parents 

- Families
- time spent together
- Religious service attendance
- Closeness of parent to child
- Parental aggravation and coping
- Ways of dealing with family disagreements
- Parent Health
- Parents’ general health status
- Parents’ mental health status
- Parental exercise habits
- Smoking
- Health insurance coverage
- Interaction with non-custodial parent

## Neighborhoods and Demographics

- Neighborhood / community cohesion
- Perception of safety in community, school, and home
- Highest level of education in household
- Primary language spoken at home
- Natality in U.S. for parents and child
- Number of moves to new address
- Employment status
- Income
- Program participation
- TANF
- Food stamps
- Free or reduced-cost breakfasts or lunches
- WIC

## For more information...

- Web site: www.cdc.gov/nchs/slaits.htm
- Stephen Blumberg
- National Center for Health Statistics
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- 3311 Toledo Road, Room 2112
- Hyattsville, Maryland  20782
- Email: SBlumberg@cdc.gov