Series 10, Number 203 January 2002

Summary Health Statistics

for U.S. Children:

National Health Interview

Survey, 1997
Copyright Information

All material appearing in this report is in the public domain and may be

reproduced or copied without permission; citation as to source, however, is

appreciated.

Suggested Citation

Bloom B, and Tonthat L. Summary Health Statistics for U.S. Children: National

Health Interview Survey, 1997 Vital Health Stat 10(203). 2002.

Library of Congress-in-Publication Data

Summary health statistics for the U.S. children: National Health Interview

Survey, 1997.

p.; cm.—(Vital and health statistics. Series 10, Data from the National

Health Survey ; no. 203) (DHHS publication ; no. (PHS) 2002-1531)

‘‘December 2001.’’

‘‘This report presents statistics derived from the 1997 National Health

Interview Survey on selected health measures for sample children under 18

years of age, classified by sex, age, race/ethnicity, family structure, parent’s

education, family income, poverty status, health insurance coverage, place of

residence, region, and current health status.’’

Includes bibliographical references.

ISBN 0-8406-0577-3

1. Children—Health and hygiene—United States—Statistics. 2. Child health

services—United States—Statistics. 3. Public health—United States—Statistics.

4. Health surveys—United States—Statistics. I. National Health Interview Survey

(U.S.) II. National Center for Health Statistics (U.S.) III. Series. IV. Series:

DHHS publication ; no. (PHS) 2002-1531.

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Printed on acid-free paper.
Series 10, Number 203

Summary Health Statistics

for U.S. Children:

National Health Interview

Survey, 1997

Data From the National

Health Interview Survey

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

National Center for Health Statistics

Hyattsville, Maryland

January 2002

DHHS Publication No. (PHS) 2002-1531
National Center for Health Statistics

Edward J. Sondik, Ph.D., Director

Jack R. Anderson, Deputy Director

Jack R. Anderson, Acting Associate Director for

International Statistics

Jennifer H. Madans, Ph.D., Associate Director for Science

Lawrence H. Cox, Ph.D., Associate Director for Research

and Methodology

Jennifer H. Madans, Ph.D., Acting Associate Director for

Analysis, Epidemiology, and Health Promotion

Edward L. Hunter, Associate Director for Planning, Budget,

and Legislation

Jennifer H. Madans, Ph.D., Acting Associate Director for

Vital and Health Statistics Systems

Douglas L. Zinn, Acting Associate Director for

Management

Charles J. Rothwell, Associate Director for Information

Technology and Services

Division of Health Interview Statistics

Jane F. Gentleman, Ph.D., Director

Anne K. Stratton, M.S., Associate Director for Planning and

Production

Eve Powell-Griner, Ph.D., Associate Director for Science

Susan S. Jack, M.S., Special Assistant for Data Quality and

User Services

Eve Powell-Griner, Ph.D., Acting Chief, Illness and

Disability Statistics Branch

Howard Riddick, Ph.D., Chief, Survey Planning and

Development Branch

Robert A. Hill, Chief, Systems and Programming Branch

Robert A. Wright, Chief, Utilization and Expenditure

Statistics Branch
Contents

Abstract .................................................................................................. 1

Introduction ............................................................................................... 1

Data Source ............................................................................................. 2

Estimation Procedures .................................................................................... 2

Limitations of the Data .................................................................................... 2

Variance Estimation and Significance Testing .................................................................. 2

Further Information ....................................................................................... 3

Selected Highlights ......................................................................................... 3

Health Conditions (tables 1,2) .............................................................................. 3

Attention Deficit Disorder and Learning Disabilities (table 3)..................................................... 3

Medication Use (table 4)................................................................................... 3

Respondent-Assessed Health Status (tables 5–8)................................................................ 4

School-Loss Days Due to Illness or Injury (tables 9,10) ......................................................... 4

Usual Source of Medical Care (tables 11,12) .................................................................. 4

Time Since Last Contact with a Health Care Professional (tables 13,14) ............................................ 4

Unmet Medical Need (tables 15,16).......................................................................... 5

Dental Care (tables 17,18) ................................................................................. 5

References ................................................................................................ 5

Appendix I

Technical Notes on Methods................................................................................. 43

Treatment of Unknown Values ............................................................................. 43

Hypothesis Tests ........................................................................................ 44

Appendix II

Definition of Selected Terms ................................................................................ 44

Demographic Terms...................................................................................... 44

Socioeconomic Terms .................................................................................... 45

Health Terms ........................................................................................... 46

Detailed Tables

1. Frequencies and percents (with standard errors) of ever told had asthma or had an asthma attack in the past 12 months

for children 17 years of age and under, by selected characteristics: United States, 1997 ........................... 7

2. Frequencies and percents (with standard errors) of hay fever, respiratory allergies and other allergies in the past

12 months for children 17 years of age and under, by selected characteristics: United States, 1997 .................. 9

3. Frequencies and percents (with standard errors) of ever told had a learning disability or Attention Deficit Disorder,

for children 3–17 years of age, by selected characteristics: United States, 1997 ................................. 11

4. Frequencies and percents (with standard errors) of having a problem for which prescription medication had been taken

regularly for at least 3 months for children 17 years of age and under, by selected characteristics: United States, 1997. . 13

5. Frequency distributions of respondent-assessed health status for children aged 17 years and younger, by selected

characteristics: United States, 1997 ..................................................................... 15

iii
6. Percent distributions (with standard errors) of respondent-assessed health status for children 17 years of age and under,

by selected characteristics: United States, 1997 ........................................................... 17

7. Frequency distributions of health status compared with a year ago given current health status for children 1–17 years

of age, by selected characteristics: United States, 1997 ..................................................... 19

8. Percent distributions (with standard errors) of health status compared with a year ago given current health status for

children 1–17 years of age, by selected characteristics: United States, 1997 ................................... 21

9. Frequency distributions of number of school days missed because of illness or injury in the past 12 months for

children 5–17 years of age, by selected characteristics: United States, 1997 .................................... 23

10. Percent distributions (with standard error) of number of school days missed because of illness or injury in the

past 12 months for children 5–17 years of age, by selected characteristics: United States, 1997 .................... 25

11. Frequencies of having a usual source of medical care, and frequency distributions of place of usual source of medical

care for children 17 years of age and under, by selected characteristics: United States, 1997 ...................... 27

12. Percents (with standard errors) having a usual source of medical care, and percent distributions (with standard errors)

of place of usual source of medical care for children 17 years of age and under, by selected characteristics:

United States, 1997.................................................................................. 29

13. Frequency distributions of length of time since last contact with a health care professional for children 17 years of

age and under, by selected characteristics: United States, 1997 .............................................. 31

14. Percent distributions (with standard errors) of length of time since last contact with a health care professional for

children 17 years of age and under, by selected characteristics: United States, 1997 ............................. 33

15. Frequencies of selected health care risk factors for children 17 years of age and under, by selected characteristics:

United States, 1997.................................................................................. 35

16. Percents (with standard errors) of selected health care risk factors for children 17 years of age and under, by selected

characteristics: United States, 1997 ..................................................................... 37

17. Frequencies of unmet dental need in the past 12 months and frequency distributions of length of time since last dental

contact for children 2–17 years of age, by selected characteristics: United States, 1997........................... 39

18. Percents (with standard errors) of unmet dental need in the past 12 months and percent distributions (with standard

errors) of length of time since last dental contact for children 2–17 years of age, by selected characteristics:

United States, 1997.................................................................................. 41

Appendix Tables

I. Weighted counts and percents of children with ‘‘unknown’’ information: National Health Interview Survey, 1997 ..... 43

II. Weighted counts and percents of children with ‘‘unknown’’ information on selected sociodemographic characteristics:

National Health Interview Survey, 1997 ................................................................. 44

iv
Objectives

This report presents statistics from Summary Health Statistics for

the 1997 National Health Interview

Survey on selected health measures for U.S. Children: National Health

sample children under 18 years of age,

classified by sex, age, race/ethnicity,

family structure, parent’s education, Interview Survey, 1997

family income, poverty status, health

insurance coverage, place of residence, Barbara Bloom, M.P.A., and Luong Tonthat, Division of Health

region, and current health status. The Interview Statistics topics covered are asthma, allergies,

learning disability, Attention Deficit

Disorder, use of medication, Introduction of residence, region, and current health

respondent- assessed health status, status. Estimates for other characteristics

school-loss days, usual source of of special relevance are also included

medical care, time since last contact This report is one of a set of reports when appropriate. Appendix I contains

with a health care professional, summarizing data from the 1997 brief technical notes, and appendix II

selected health care risk factors, and National Health Interview Survey contains definitions of terms used in this

time since last dental contact. (NHIS), a multipurpose health survey report.

Source of Data Health Statistics (NCHS), Centers for source of information about health and

The NHIS is a multistage probability Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). health care in the United States since it

sample survey conducted annually by This report provides national estimates was first conducted in 1957. Given the

interviewers of the U. S. Census

Bureau for the National Center for

Health Statistics, Centers for Disease

for a broad range of health measures for

the U.S. civilian noninstitutionalized

population of children under 18 years of

ever-changing nature of the U.S.

population, the NHIS has been revised

every 10–15 years. The first design

conducted by the National Center for The NHIS has been an important

Control and Prevention, and is

age. Two other reports in this set changes were introduced in 1973 and representative of the civilian

noninstitutionalized population of the provide data on health measures for the the first procedural changes in 1975 (4).

United States. Data are collected during U.S. population and for adults (1,2). A In 1982, the NHIS questionnaire and

face-to-face interviews with adults fourth report focusing on technical data preparation procedures of the

present at the time of interview. issues related to the survey design and survey were extensively revised. The

Information about children is collected estimation procedures will be published basic concepts of NHIS changed in

for one sample child per family in (3). It is anticipated that the three data some cases, and in other cases the

face-to-face interviews with an adult reports will be published for each year concepts were measured in a different

proxy respondent familiar with the of the NHIS, replacing the annual way. A more complete explanation of child’s health. one-volume Current Estimates from the these changes is in appendix IV of

National Health Interview Survey. The Series 10-No. 150 (5). In 1985, a new Highlights technical report will be updated less sample design for NHIS and a different In 1997, most U.S. children under 18 frequently. method of presenting sampling errors

years of age enjoyed excellent or very Estimates are presented here for were introduced (6,7). In 1995, another good health (82%). However, 13% of asthma, allergies, learning disability, change in the sample design was children had no health insurance

coverage, and 6% of children had no

Attention Deficit Disorder, use of introduced, including the oversampling

usual place of medical care. The medication, respondent-assessed health of black and Hispanic persons (8). In

percent of children with unmet medical status, school-loss days, usual source of 1997, the latest revision was

need was twice as high in single- medical care, time since last contact implemented. The 1997 design of the

mother families (4%) as in two-parent with a health care professional, selected NHIS features both a substantially

families (2%). Eleven percent of health care risk factors, and time since revised instrument (in terms of content)

children had ever been diagnosed with last dental contact. They are derived as well as a new means of

asthma. An estimated 8% of children from the Sample Child component of administration (i.e., computer-assisted 3–17 years of age had a learning the annual NHIS Basic Module. These personal interviewing). This new design disability, and an estimated 6% of estimates are shown in tables 1–18 for should improve the ability of the NHIS children had Attention Deficit Disorder. various groups of the population, to provide important health information

Keywords: child health c health including those defined by sex, age, in the future. However, comparisons of

conditions c access to care c health race/ethnicity, family structure, parent’s the 1997 data with data from previous

provider contacts c unmet medical education, family income, poverty NHIS survey years should not be

need c ADD status, health insurance coverage, place undertaken without a careful

Page 1
Page 2 [ Series 10, No. 203

examination of the changes across

survey instruments. (5,7, 9–21)

Data Source

The main objective of the NHIS is

to monitor the health of the U.S.

population through the collection and

analysis of data on a broad range of

health topics. The target population for

the NHIS is the civilian

noninstitutionalized population of the

United States. Persons excluded are

patients in long-term care institutions

(e.g., nursing homes for the elderly;

hospitals for the chronically ill, disabled,

or retarded; and wards for abused/

neglected children), correctional

facilities (e.g., prisons or jails, juvenile

detention centers, and halfway houses),

active duty Armed Forces personnel

(although their dependents are included),

and U.S. nationals living in foreign

countries. Each year, a representative

sample of households across the country

is selected for the NHIS using a

multistage cluster sample design. Details

about the sample design in effect for

1995–2004 have been published (8).

Trained interviewers from the U.S.

Census Bureau visit each selected

household and administer the NHIS in

person. Detailed interviewer instructions

are found in the NHIS Field

Representative’s Manual (22).

The forthcoming technical report

will describe in detail the changes to the

basic health and demographic

questionnaire that occurred in the

redesigned survey introduced in 1997.

Briefly, the annual NHIS questionnaire,

now called the Basic Module, consists

of three main components: the Family

Core, the Sample Adult Core, and the

Sample Child Core. The Family Core is

the source of data for this report; it

collects information for all family

members regarding household

composition and sociodemographic

characteristics, along with basic

indicators of health status, activity

limitations, and utilization of health care

services. All adult members of the

household 17 years of age and over who

are at home at the time of the interview

are invited to participate and respond for

themselves. For children and those

adults not at home during the interview,

information is provided by a

knowledgeable adult family member (18

years of age or over) residing in the

household. Although considerable effort

is made to insure accurate reporting, the

information from both proxy and

self-respondents may be inaccurate

because the respondent is unaware of

relevant information, has forgotten it,

does not wish to reveal it to an

interviewer, or does not understand the

intended meaning of the question.

The Sample Adult and Sample

Child Cores obtain additional

information on the health of one

randomly selected adult and child in the

family; the Sample Adult responds for

himself/herself, and a knowledgeable

adult in the family provides proxy

responses for the sample child.

The interviewed sample for 1997

consisted of 39,832 households, which

yielded data for 103,477 persons in

40,623 families. There were 15,244

children aged 0–17 years who were

eligible for the Sample Child

questionnaire. Data were collected for

14,290 children, a conditional response

rate of 93.7%. The unconditional or

final response rate for the Sample Child

component was calculated by

multiplying the conditional rate by the

overall family response rate of 90.3%,

yielding a rate of 84.1% (23).

Estimation Procedures

Data presented in this report are

weighted to provide national health

estimates. For each health measure, both

weighted frequencies and percents for

all persons and for various subgroups of

the population are shown. All counts are

rounded to the nearest thousand. To

make the presentation of the data more

straightforward, persons of unknown

status with respect to each health

characteristic of interest are neither

shown separately in the tables nor

included in the calculation of percents.

For all health measures in this report,

the overall percent unknown is typically

small, in most cases less than 1%.

Nevertheless, these unknown cases are

included in the total population counts

for each table. Therefore, it should be

noted that the reader may obtain slightly

different percents than those shown in

the tables if he or she calculates

percents based on the frequencies and

population counts presented in the

tables.

Additionally, some of the

sociodemographic variables used to

delineate various subgroups of the

population have unknown values. Again,

for most of these variables, the percent

unknown is small. However, in the case

of family income, there is no income

information for about 7% of respondents

in the 1997 survey, and 10% of

respondents stated that their combined

family income was $20,000 or more

without providing additional detail.

Poverty status, which is based on family

income, has a high nonresponse rate as

a result. Health estimates for persons

with these unknown sociodemographic

characteristics are not shown in the

tables, but readers should refer to

appendix I for more information on the

unknowns.

Limitations of the Data

Although the data are presented for

various age groups, estimates for other

sociodemographic subgroups are not age

adjusted. Therefore, differences among

groups should be interpreted with

caution. Also, as mentioned previously,

the 1997 NHIS is quite different in

content, format, and mode of data

collection from earlier versions of the

survey. These changes make it difficult

to compare 1997 NHIS estimates with

those of earlier years.

In addition, it is important to note

that frequencies are underestimates due

to item nonresponse and unknowns,

both of which are excluded from the

tables (with the exception of the ‘‘All

Children’’ or total columns shown in

each table). See appendix I for more

information about the number of

unknowns with respect to each health

characteristic.

Variance Estimation and

Significance Testing

The NHIS data are based on a

sample of the population and are,

therefore, subject to sampling error.

Standard errors are reported to indicate
Series 10, No. 203 [ Page 3

the reliability of the estimates. Estimates

and standard errors were calculated

using SUDAAN software that takes into

account the complex sampling design of

the NHIS. The Taylor series

linearization method was used (24).

Standard errors are shown for all

percents in the tables. Estimates with

relative standard errors of greater than

30% are considered unreliable and are

indicated with an asterisk. The statistical

significance of differences between

point estimates was evaluated using

two-sided t tests at the 0.05 level and

assuming independence. These tests did

not take multiple comparisons into

account.

Further Information

Data users can obtain the latest

information about the National Health

Interview Survey by periodically

checking the web site

http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhis.htm

The Web site features downloadable

public use data and documentation for

recent surveys and important

information about any modifications or

updates to the data and/or

documentation. Published reports from

previous years’ surveys are also

available, as are updates about future

surveys and data sets.

Researchers may also wish to join

the NHIS electronic mail list. To do so,

go to

http://www.cdc.gov/subscribe.html

Fill in the appropriate information

and click the ‘‘National Health

Interview Survey (NHIS) researchers’’

box, followed by the ‘‘Subscribe’’

button at the bottom of the page. The

LISTSERV consists of approximately

3,000 NHIS data users located around

the world who receive e-news about

NHIS surveys (e.g., new releases of data

or modifications to existing data),

publications, and conferences.

Selected Highlights

This section presents brief, bulleted

summaries of the estimates shown in

tables 1–18. All estimates were

calculated using the appropriate weight

variable, which is calibrated by NCHS

staff to produce numbers consistent with

the population estimates of the United

States by age, sex, and race/ethnicity,

based on projections from the 1990 U.S.

Census Bureau.

Health Conditions

(tables 1,2)

+ Eleven percent of U.S. children

under 18 years of age, or 8.1 million

children, have ever been diagnosed

with asthma. Boys were more likely

than girls to have ever been

diagnosed with asthma (13% versus

10%).

+ Nearly 4 million children had an

asthma attack in the past 12 months.

Boys were most likely to have had

an asthma attack in the past 12

months at ages 5–11 years, while

girls were most likely to have had

an asthma attack in the past 12

months at ages 12–17 years.

+ Non-Hispanic black children (14%)

were more likely than non-Hispanic

white or Hispanic children (11% and

10%, respectively) to have ever been

diagnosed with asthma.

+ Children from single-mother

families (14%) were more likely to

have ever been diagnosed with

asthma than children from

two-parent families (11%).

+ Twelve percent of U.S. children

under 18 years of age suffered from

respiratory allergies, 10% suffered

from hay fever, and 10% suffered

from other allergies in the past 12

months.

+ As the level of a parent’s education

increases, the proportion of children

with all types of allergies increases.

Six percent of children whose parent

had less than a high school

education had hay fever compared

with 13% of children whose parent

continued education beyond high

school.

+ Children with private health

insurance coverage were more likely

to have had hay fever and

respiratory allergies (12% and 13%,

respectively) than children with

Medicaid (8% and 10%,

respectively) or who were uninsured

(8% and 9%, respectively).

Attention Deficit Disorder

and Learning Disabilities

(table 3)

+ An estimated 4.6 million children 3–

17 years of age (8%) had a learning

disability (LD), and an estimated 3.3

million children (6%) had Attention

Deficit Disorder (ADD).

+ The percent of boys with LD was

almost double that for girls, and the

percent of boys with ADD was more

than triple that for girls.

+ The percent of children with ADD

remains fairly constant for all levels

of income, but the percent of

children with LD in the lowest

income group is double that of the

highest income group.

+ The percent with LD was about the

same (7%) for children with private

health insurance coverage and

children who were uninsured. Nearly

twice as many children with

Medicaid coverage had LD (13%).

+ Children with a fair or poor health

status were 4 times as likely to have

LD and 3 times as likely to have

ADD compared with children with

an excellent, very good, or good

health status.

Medication Use (table 4)

+ Nine percent or 6.6 million children

in the United States had a problem

for which prescription medication

had been taken regularly for at least

3 months.

+ Children aged 12–17 years were

more likely to have been on

medication regularly for at least 3

months (13%) than children aged

5–11 years (9%) or children less

than 5 years of age (5%).

+ Eleven percent of boys compared

with 8% of girls were on medication

regularly for at least 3 months.

+ Hispanic children (7%) were less

likely to have been on medication

regularly for at least 3 months than

either non-Hispanic white or

non-Hispanic black children (10%

and 9%, respectively).
+

Page 4 [ Series 10, No. 203

+ The percent of children who were

on medication regularly for at least

3 months was about twice as high

for children with either private

health insurance coverage or

Medicaid as for children with no

insurance coverage.

Respondent-Assessed

Health Status (tables 5–8)

+ In 1997, the overwhelming majority

of children in the United States

enjoyed excellent or very good

health (58 million children or 82%).

In addition, 11 million children

(16%) were in good health. The

remaining 2% of children were in

fair (1.2 million) or poor (0.2

million) health.

+ Children’s health status was

associated with race/ethnicity. Sixty

percent of non-Hispanic white

children had excellent health

compared with 45% of non-Hispanic

black children and 42% of Hispanic

children.

+ Parent’s education was positively

associated with their children’s

health. Only 38% of children whose

parents did not complete high school

were in excellent health compared

with 48% of children whose parents

completed 12 years of school and

62% of children whose parents had

more than 12 years of education.

+ Children living in two-parent

families were more likely to be in

excellent health (58%) than children

living in single-mother families

(44%) or children living in single

father families (49%).

+ Poverty status was also positively

associated with children’s health.

Children from not poor families

were more likely to be in excellent

health (63%) than children from

near poor families (50%) or children

from poor families (40%).

+ Children with Medicaid insurance

coverage were far less likely to be

in excellent health (38%) than

children with private health

insurance (60%) or children with no

health insurance coverage (48%).

+ In general, a child’s health status

was much more likely to be the

same as last year than to be better

than last year and much more likely

to be better than last year than to be

worse than last year.

+ Among children with a currently

good health status, the chance of the

child’s having experienced an

improved health status since a year

ago was greater for children whose

parent had more than 12 years of

education (35%) than for children

whose parent had less than 12 years

of education (23%).

School-Loss Days Due to

Illness or Injury (tables 9,

10)

+ Of the 51.6 million school-aged

children (aged 5–17 years) in the

United States, 13 million or about

one quarter never missed a day of

school in the past 12 months due to

illness or injury. Approximately one

quarter missed 1–2 days, and about

one quarter missed 3–5 days of

school.

+ Six percent of all school-aged

children (aged 5–17 years) missed

more than 10 days of school

because of illness or injury in the

past 12 months.

+ Non-Hispanic black and Hispanic

children were more likely than

non-Hispanic white children to have

missed no school in the past 12

months due to illness or injury.

Children who were poor or near

poor were more likely than children

who were not poor to have missed

no school due to illness or injury.

+ Children in a single-mother family

were absent from school for more

than 10 days in the past year at

about twice the rate of children in

two-parent families or children in

single-father families.

+ Children whose parents are less

educated were more likely to miss

more than 10 days of school in the

past 12 months than children whose

parents have more education. Nine

percent of children whose parents do

not have a high school education

and 7% whose parents have a high

school diploma missed more than 10

days of school compared with 5% of

children whose parents have

education beyond high school.

Usual Source of Medical

Care (tables 11,12)

+ In 1997, most children in the United

States had a usual source of medical

care (94%).

+ Among children with a usual source

of medical care, 76% visited a

doctor’s office, 21% received care in

a clinic, 2% used a hospital

outpatient department, and 1% used

a hospital emergency room (ER) as

a usual source of medical care.

+ The highest percent of children who

used the ER for routine care was

children who were uninsured (4%)

compared with the lowest percent

among children who had private

health insurance coverage (0.2%) or

Medicaid (1%).

+ Non-Hispanic white children with a

usual source of care were more

likely to use a doctor’s office for

that care (81%) than non-Hispanic

black children or Hispanic children

(64% and 65%, respectively).

Hispanic and non-Hispanic black

children were more likely to have a

clinic as their usual source of care

(30% each) than were non-Hispanic

white children (17%).

+ Children living with two parents

were more likely to go to a doctor’s

office for care (79%) compared with

those living in a single-mother

family (67%).

Time Since Last Contact

with a Health Care

Professional (tables 13,14)

+ Most children had contact with a

doctor or other health professional at

some time during the past 12

months, ranging from 84% of

children (aged 12–17 years) to 97%

of children 0–4 years of age.

+ Children living in a single-father

family were less likely to have had

contact with a doctor or other health

professional in the past 6 months

(57%) compared with children living
Series 10, No. 203 [ Page 5

in a single-mother or a two-parent

family (72% and 72%, respectively).

+ Ninety-one percent of children with

private health insurance coverage

and 93% of those with Medicaid

had contact with a doctor or other

health professional in the past 12

months compared with 74% of

children with no insurance coverage.

Seven percent of uninsured children

had not had a contact with a doctor

or other health professional in over

3 years (or never had such contact)

compared with 1% for both children

with private coverage and children

with Medicaid.

Unmet Medical Need

(tables 15,16)

+ In 1997, there were 9.4 million or

13% of children with no health

insurance coverage. This ranged

from 3% of children in families with

an income of $75,000 or more to

22% of children in families with an

income of less than $20,000.

+ One and one-half million children

(2%) were unable to get needed

medical care because the family

couldn’t afford it, and medical care

for 2.7 million children (4%) was

delayed because of worry about the

cost.

+ The percent of children with unmet

medical need was twice as high in

single-mother families (4%) as in

two-parent families (2%).

+ Poor and near poor families were

most likely to have selected health

care risk factors such as being

uninsured, having unmet medical

need, delaying care, having no usual

source of medical care, and having

high use of emergency room

services.

+ When compared with children with

an excellent, very good, or good

health status, children with a fair or

poor health status were:

+ 5 times as likely to have unmet

medical needs (10% versus 2%)

+ 3 times as likely to have delayed

medical care (12% versus 4%)

+ 4 times as likely to have two or

more emergency room visits

(28% versus 7%).

Dental Care (tables 17,18)

+ An estimated 3.8 million children

had unmet dental needs because

families could not afford dental care.

+ Non-Hispanic white children were

most likely to have had a dental

contact in the past 6 months and in

the past 12 months (59% and 76%,

respectively) compared with

non-Hispanic black children (45%

and 69%), Hispanic children (40%

and 61%), and Mexican-American

children (36% and 56%).

+ Hispanic children were more than

1.5 times as likely as non-Hispanic

white children or non-Hispanic

black children to have had no dental

contact for more than 3 years.

References

1. Blackwell DL, Tonthat L. Summary

health statistics for the U.S. population:

National Health Interview Survey,

1997. National Center for Health

Statistics. Vital Health Stat 10(204). To

be published.

2. Blackwell DL, Collins JG, Coles R.

Summary health statistics for U.S.

adults: National Health Interview

Survey, 1997. National Center for

Health Statistics. Vital Health Stat

10(205). In preparation.

3. Summary health statistics technical

report: National Health Interview

Survey, United States. National Center

for Health Statistics. Vital Health Stat

2(134). In preparation.

4. Kovar MG, Poe GS. The National

Health Interview Survey design,

1973–84, and procedures, 1975–83.

National Center for Health Statistics.

Vital Health Stat 1(18). 1985.

5. National Center for Health Statistics.

Current estimates from the National

Health Interview Survey: United States,

1982. Vital Health Stat 10(150). 1985.

6. Massey JT, Moore TF, Parsons VL,

Tadros W. Design and estimation for

the National Health Interview Survey,

1985–94. National Center for Health

Statistics. Vital Health Stat 2(110).

1989.

7. Moss AJ, Parsons VL. Current

estimates from the National Health

Interview Survey: United States, 1985.

National Center for Health Statistics.

Vital Health Stat 10(160). 1986.

8. Botman SL, Moore TF, Moriarity CL,

Parsons VL. Design and estimation for

the National Health Interview Survey,

1995–2004. National Center for Health

Statistics. Vital Health Stat 2(130).

2000.

9. Current estimates from the National

Health Interview Survey: United States,

1983. National Center for Health

Statistics. Vital Health Stat 10(154).

1986.

10. Ries P. Current estimates from the

National Health Interview Survey:

United States, 1984. National Center

for Health Statistics. Vital Health Stat

10(156). 1986.

11. Dawson DA, Adams PF. Current

estimates from the National Health

Interview Survey: United States, 1986.

National Center for Health Statistics.

Vital Health Stat 10(164). 1987.

12. Schoenborn C, Marano MA. Current

estimates from the National Health

Interview Survey: United States, 1987.

National Center for Health Statistics.

Vital Health Stat 10 (166). 1988.

13. Adams PF, Hardy AM. Current

estimates from the National Health

Interview Survey, 1988. National

Center for Health Statistics. Vital

Health Stat 10(173). 1989.

14. Adams PF, Benson V. Current estimates

from the National Health Interview

Survey, 1989. National Center for

Health Statistics. Vital Health Stat

10(176). 1990.

15. Adams PF, Benson V. Current estimates

from the National Health Interview

Survey, 1990. National Center for

Health Statistics. Vital Health Stat

10(181). 1991.

16. Adams PF, Benson V. Current estimates

from the National Health Interview

Survey, 1991. National Center for

Health Statistics. Vital Health Stat

10(184). 1992.

17. Benson V, Marano MA. Current

estimates from the National Health

Interview Survey, 1992. National

Center for Health Statistics. Vital

Health Stat 10(189). 1994.
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18. Benson V, Marano MA. Current

estimates from the National Health

Interview Survey, 1993. National

Center for Health Statistics. Vital

Health Stat 10(190). 1994.

19. Adams PF, Marano MA. Current

estimates from the National Health

Interview Survey, 1994. National

Center for Health Statistics. Vital

Health Stat 10(193). 1995.

20. Benson, V, Marano MA. Current

estimates from the National Health

Interview Survey, 1995. National

Center for Health Statistics. Vital

Health Stat 10(199). 1998.

21. Adams PF, Hendershot GE, Marano

MA. Current estimates from the

National Health Interview Survey,

1996. National Center for Health

Statistics. Vital Health Stat 10(200).

1999.

22. U.S. Bureau of the Census. National

Health Interview Survey field

representative’s manual. HIS-100-C.

U.S. Department of Commerce acting

as a collecting agent for the U.S. Public

Health Service. 1997.

23. National Center for Health Statistics

(1997). Data file documentation,

National Health Interview Survey, 1997

(machine-readable data file and

documentation). National Center for

Health Statistics, Hyattsville, Maryland.

24. Shah BV, Barnwell BG, Bieler GS.

SUDAAN user’s manual: Software for

analysis of correlated data, Release 7.5.

Research Triangle Institute, Research

Triangle Park, N.C. 1997.

25. Lamison-White, L. U.S. Bureau of the

Census. Current Population Reports,

Series P60-198. Poverty in the United

States, 1996. U.S. Government Printing

Office, Washington. 1997.
Series 10, No. 203 [ Page 7

Table 1. Frequencies and percents (with standard errors) of ever told had asthma or had an asthma attack in the past 12 months, for

children 17 years of age and under, by selected characteristics: United States, 1997

Had asthma Had asthma

All children Ever told attack in past Ever told attack in past

Selected characteristic 0–17 years had asthma1 12 months1 had asthma 12 months

Number in thousands2 Percent2 (standard error)

Total ......................... 71,359 8,118 3,885 11.4 (0.33) 5.4 (0.22)

Sex

Male ......................... 36,534 4,740 2,163 13.0 (0.50) 5.9 (0.33)

Female ....................... 34,825 3,378 1,722 9.7 (0.42) 4.9 (0.31)

Age

0–4 years ...................... 19,724 1,398 812 7.1 (0.51) 4.1 (0.39)

5–17 years ..................... 51,635 6,720 3,073 13.0 (0.40) 6.0 (0.26)

5–11 years .................... 28,272 3,460 1,628 12.3 (0.53) 5.8 (0.38)

12–17 years ................... 23,364 3,260 1,445 14.0 (0.60) 6.2 (0.41)

Race/ethnicity3

White, non-Hispanic ............... 46,509 5,180 2,437 11.2 (0.41) 5.2 (0.28)

Black, non-Hispanic ................ 10,824 1,471 725 13.6 (0.77) 6.7 (0.54)

Other, non-Hispanic ................ 3,369 394 177 11.7 (1.60) 5.2 (1.08)

Hispanic ....................... 10,657 1,072 546 10.1 (0.61) 5.1 (0.43)

Mexican American ............... 5,914 517 270 8.8 (0.80) 4.6 (0.51)

Family structure4

Mother and father ................. 51,645 5,482 2,716 10.6 (0.38) 5.3 (0.26)

Mother, no father ................. 15,979 2,220 1,000 13.9 (0.73) 6.3 (0.50)

Father, no mother ................. 1,674 177 67 10.7 (1.79) 4.0 (1.14)

Neither mother nor father ............ 2,048 239 103 11.7 (1.74) 5.0 (1.23)

Parent’s education5

Less than 12 years ................ 9,599 1,063 536 11.1 (1.01) 5.6 (0.69)

12 years ....................... 17,514 1,901 772 10.9 (0.59) 4.4 (0.40)

More than 12 years ................ 41,744 4,895 2,458 11.7 (0.43) 5.9 (0.31)

Family Income6

Less than $20,000 ................ 16,561 2,173 947 13.2 (0.73) 5.7 (0.45)

$20,000 or more .................. 52,144 5,787 2,862 11.1 (0.37) 5.5 (0.26)

$20,000–$34,999 ................ 11,656 1,159 599 9.9 (0.79) 5.1 (0.57)

$35,000–$54,999 ................ 14,009 1,615 772 11.5 (0.61) 5.5 (0.51)

$55,000–$74,999 ................ 9,880 1,037 505 10.5 (0.85) 5.1 (0.64)

$75,000 or more ................ 10,992 1,376 698 12.5 (0.93) 6.4 (0.67)

Poverty status7

Poor ......................... 12,021 1,541 677 12.9 (0.92) 5.6 (0.59)

Near poor ...................... 13,252 1,370 702 10.3 (0.71) 5.3 (0.53)

Not poor ....................... 35,437 4,140 2,013 11.7 (0.47) 5.7 (0.34)

Health insurance coverage8

Private ........................ 47,358 5,156 2,448 10.9 (0.39) 5.2 (0.27)

Medicaid/other public ............... 12,276 1,821 927 14.9 (0.86) 7.6 (0.60)

Other ......................... 1,735 258 107 14.8 (2.15) 6.2 (1.44)

Uninsured ...................... 9,386 811 377 8.7 (0.76) 4.0 (0.57)

Place of residence

Large MSA9 .................... 33,535 3,864 1,887 11.6 (0.48) 5.6 (0.32)

Small MSA9 .................... 23,258 2,617 1,253 11.3 (0.59) 5.4 (0.40)

Not in MSA9 .................... 14,566 1,637 745 11.3 (0.72) 5.1 (0.46)

Region

Northeast ...................... 13,860 1,829 845 13.2 (0.90) 6.1 (0.52)

Midwest ....................... 17,815 1,884 907 10.6 (0.62) 5.1 (0.44)

South ........................ 24,899 2,540 1,232 10.2 (0.52) 4.9 (0.36)

West ......................... 14,785 1,865 901 12.6 (0.74) 6.1 (0.48)
Page 8 [ Series 10, No. 203

Table 1. Frequencies and percents (with standard errors) of ever told had asthma or had an asthma attack in the past 12 months, for

children 17 years of age and under, by selected characteristics: United States, 1997—Con.

Had asthma Had asthma

All children Ever told attack in past Ever told attack in past

Selected characteristic 0–17 years had asthma1 12 months1 had asthma 12 months

Current health status Number in thousands2 Percent2 (standard error)

Excellent/very good/good ............ 69,883 7,595 3,498 10.9 (0.33) 5.0 (0.22)

Fair/poor ...................... 1,441 519 387 36.2 (3.26) 27.0 (3.11)

Sex and age

Male:

0–4 years .................... 10,092 869 504 8.7 (0.80) 5.0 (0.61)

5–17 years .................... 26,442 3,871 1,659 14.7 (0.62) 6.3 (0.40)

5–11 years .................. 14,390 2,142 1,007 14.9 (0.86) 7.0 (0.61)

12–17 years ................. 12,052 1,729 653 14.4 (0.88) 5.4 (0.53)

Female:

0–4 years .................... 9,632 529 309 5.5 (0.58) 3.2 (0.47)

5–17 years .................... 25,193 2,848 1,413 11.3 (0.54) 5.6 (0.40)

5–11 years .................. 13,881 1,318 621 9.5 (0.63) 4.5 (0.45)

12–17 years ................. 11,312 1,530 792 13.6 (0.81) 7.0 (0.65)

1Data in this table are based on the following Sample Child (S.C.) questions: ‘‘Has a doctor or other health professional ever told you that [S.C.name] had asthma?’’ ‘‘During the past 12 months, has

[S.C.name] had an episode of asthma or an asthma attack?’’ See appendix II for more detailed definitions of selected terms used in this report.

2Unknowns for the variable of interest are not included in the denominators when calculating percents. They are, however, included in the ‘‘All children’’ column. Additionally, numbers may not add to

their respective totals because of rounding.

3‘‘Other, non-Hispanic’’ includes non-Hispanic children whose race was identified as American Indian, Alaska Native, Asian, or Pacific Islander. Children of Hispanic origin may be of any race.

4Mother and father can include biological, adoptive, step, in-law, or foster relationships. Legal guardians are classified in ‘‘Neither mother nor father.’’

5Parent’s education is the education level of the parent with the higher level of education.

6‘‘Less than $20,000’’ and ‘‘$20,000 or more’’ include both respondents reporting specific dollar amounts and respondents reporting that their incomes were within those categories (see appendix I).

The indented categories include only those respondents who reported specific dollar amounts. Children with unknown family income are not shown.

7Poverty status is based on family income and family size using the U.S. Census Bureau’s poverty thresholds. ‘‘Poor’’ children are in families defined as below the poverty threshold. ‘‘Near poor’’

children are in families with incomes of 100% to less than 200% of the poverty threshold. ‘‘Not poor’’ children are in families with incomes of 200% of the poverty threshold or greater.

8Private health insurance may be obtained through the workplace or purchased directly. Among children under 18 years of age, ‘‘Medicaid/other public’’ includes those with Medicaid or other public

health insurance coverage (e.g., most state-sponsored coverage). ‘‘Other coverage’’ includes Medicare, military health insurance coverage, and/or another form of government-sponsored health

insurance coverage. Children with only Indian Health Service coverage are considered uninsured in this table.

9MSA is Metropolitan Statistical Area. Large MSAs have a population size of 1,000,000 or more; small MSAs have a population size of less than 1,000,000. ‘‘Not in MSA’’ consists of persons not living

in a Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Series 10, No. 203 [ Page 9

Table 2. Frequencies and percents (with standard errors) of hay fever, respiratory allergies, and other allergies in the past 12 months for

children 17 years of age and under, by selected characteristics: United States, 1997

All children Hay Respiratory Other Hay Respiratory Other

Selected characteristic 0–17 years fever1 allergies1 allergies1 fever allergies allergies

Number in thousands2 Percent2 (standard errors)

Total ........................... 71,359 7,380 8,526 7,304 10.4 (0.29) 12.0 (0.31) 10.3 (0.30)

Sex

Male ........................... 36,534 4,038 4,665 3,690 11.1 (0.43) 12.8 (0.48) 10.1 (0.41)

Female ......................... 34,825 3,342 3,861 3,614 9.6 (0.42) 11.1 (0.47) 10.4 (0.44)

Age

0–4 years ........................ 19,724 898 1,641 2,182 4.6 (0.37) 8.3 (0.51) 11.1 (0.57)

5–17 years ....................... 51,635 6,483 6,885 5,122 12.6 (0.38) 13.4 (0.40) 9.9 (0.35)

5–11 years ...................... 28,272 3,095 3,438 2,773 11.0 (0.48) 12.2 (0.56) 9.8 (0.52)

12–17 years ..................... 23,364 3,387 3,447 2,349 14.6 (0.63) 14.8 (0.57) 10.1 (0.51)

Race/ethnicity3

White, non-Hispanic ................. 46,509 5,218 6,234 4,825 11.3 (0.40) 13.5 (0.43) 10.4 (0.38)

Black, non-Hispanic .................. 10,824 934 1,111 1,311 8.7 (0.65) 10.3 (0.75) 12.2 (0.81)

Other, non-Hispanic .................. 3,369 353 350 390 10.5 (1.35) 10.4 (1.59) 11.6 (1.56)

Hispanic ......................... 10,657 875 832 779 8.2 (0.54) 7.8 (0.52) 7.3 (0.51)

Mexican American ................. 5,914 419 392 353 7.1 (0.70) 6.6 (0.65) 6.0 (0.61)

Family structure4

Mother and father ................... 51,645 5,440 6,187 5,115 10.6 (0.37) 12.0 (0.38) 9.9 (0.34)

Mother, no father ................... 15,979 1,585 1,998 1,918 10.0 (0.57) 12.6 (0.68) 12.0 (0.66)

Father, no mother ................... 1,674 201 145 101 12.1 (2.05) 8.7 (1.63) 6.1 (1.46)

Neither mother nor father .............. 2,048 155 196 168 7.6 (1.28) 9.6 (1.60) 8.2 (1.47)

Parent’s Education5

Less than 12 years .................. 9,599 552 775 764 5.8 (0.55) 8.1 (0.76) 8.0 (0.70)

12 years ......................... 17,514 1,415 1,605 1,623 8.1 (0.49) 9.2 (0.57) 9.3 (0.60)

More than 12 years .................. 41,744 5,247 5,935 4,734 12.6 (0.43) 14.3 (0.46) 11.3 (0.39)

Family income6

Less than $20,000 .................. 16,561 1,370 1,801 1,774 8.3 (0.50) 10.9 (0.63) 10.7 (0.63)

$20,000 or more .................... 52,144 5,847 6,539 5,353 11.3 (0.36) 12.6 (0.39) 10.3 (0.35)

$20,000–$34,999 .................. 11,656 1,122 1,341 1,298 9.7 (0.68) 11.5 (0.83) 11.2 (0.77)

$35,000–$54,999 .................. 14,009 1,527 1,875 1,275 10.9 (0.69) 13.4 (0.78) 9.1 (0.64)

$55,000–$74,999 .................. 9,880 1,147 1,244 1,082 11.7 (0.83) 12.6 (0.88) 11.0 (0.84)

$75,000 or more .................. 10,992 1,602 1,545 1,339 14.6 (0.97) 14.1 (0.95) 12.2 (0.83)

Poverty status7

Poor ........................... 12,021 911 1,278 1,298 7.6 (0.59) 10.6 (0.68) 10.8 (0.79)

Near poor ........................ 13,252 1,288 1,459 1,344 9.7 (0.68) 11.0 (0.74) 10.2 (0.71)

Not poor ......................... 35,437 4,424 4,858 3,923 12.5 (0.46) 13.8 (0.48) 11.1 (0.42)

Health insurance coverage8

Private .......................... 47,358 5,437 6,199 4,907 11.5 (0.39) 13.1 (0.40) 10.4 (0.37)

Medicaid/other public ................. 12,276 944 1,222 1,402 7.7 (0.58) 10.0 (0.73) 11.4 (0.78)

Other ........................... 1,735 183 184 189 10.6 (2.14) 10.6 (2.20) 10.9 (1.94)

Uninsured ........................ 9,386 736 849 755 7.9 (0.64) 9.1 (0.75) 8.1 (0.75)

Place of Residence

Large MSA9 ...................... 33,535 3,309 3,566 3,287 9.9 (0.40) 10.7 (0.44) 9.8 (0.39)

Small MSA9 ...................... 23,258 2,571 3,068 2,582 11.1 (0.53) 13.2 (0.58) 11.1 (0.55)

Not in MSA 9 ...................... 14,566 1,500 1,892 1,436 10.4 (0.69) 13.0 (0.75) 9.9 (0.72)

Region

Northeast ........................ 13,860 1,225 1,450 1,514 8.9 (0.62) 10.5 (0.71) 10.9 (0.70)

Midwest ......................... 17,815 1,812 2,009 1,712 10.2 (0.58) 11.3 (0.58) 9.6 (0.58)

South .......................... 24,899 2,668 3,637 2,566 10.8 (0.54) 14.7 (0.56) 10.3 (0.53)

West ........................... 14,785 1,676 1,431 1,512 11.4 (0.55) 9.7 (0.70) 10.2 (0.61)
Page 10 [ Series 10, No. 203

Table 2. Frequencies and percents (with standard errors) of hay fever, respiratory allergies, and other allergies in the past 12 months for

children 17 years of age and under, by selected characteristics: United States, 1997—Con.

All children Hay Respiratory Other Hay Respiratory Other

Selected characteristic 0–17 years fever1 allergies1 allergies1 fever allergies allergies

Current health status Number in thousands2 Percent2 (standard errors)

Excellent/very good/good .............. 69,883 7,152 7,981 6,966 10.3 (0.30) 11.5 (0.31) 10.0 (0.30)

Fair/poor ........................ 1,441 229 542 339 16.1 (2.38) 38.0 (3.58) 23.8 (2.93)

Sex and age

Male:

0–4 years ...................... 10,092 480 895 1,195 4.8 (0.50) 8.9 (0.75) 11.9 (0.85)

5–17 years ...................... 26,442 3,559 3,770 2,495 13.5 (0.56) 14.4 (0.60) 9.5 (0.46)

5–11 years .................... 14,390 1,794 1,983 1,410 12.5 (0.77) 13.9 (0.84) 9.8 (0.71)

12–17 years ................... 12,052 1,764 1,788 1,085 14.7 (0.85) 14.9 (0.83) 9.0 (0.65)

Female:

0–4 years ...................... 9,632 418 746 987 4.4 (0.50) 7.8 (0.82) 10.3 (0.79)

5–17 years ...................... 25,193 2,924 3,115 2,627 11.7 (0.55) 12.4 (0.56) 10.4 (0.53)

5–11 years .................... 13,881 1,301 1,455 1,363 9.4 (0.70) 10.5 (0.71) 9.8 (0.76)

12–17 years ................... 11,312 1,623 1,660 1,264 14.4 (0.86) 14.7 (0.84) 11.2 (0.77)

1Data in this table are based on the following Sample Child (S.C.) questions: ‘‘During the past 12 months, has [S.C.name] had any of the following conditions? Hay fever? Any kind of respiratory

allergy? Any kind of food or digestive allergy? Eczema or any kind of skin allergy?’’ See appendix II for more detailed definitions of selected terms used in this report. A child may be counted in more

than one category.

2Unknowns for the variable of interest are not included in the denominators when calculating percents. They are, however, included in the ‘‘All children’’ column. Additionally, numbers may not add to

their respective totals because of rounding.

3‘‘Other, non-Hispanic’’ includes non-Hispanic children whose race was identified as American Indian, Alaska Native, Asian, or Pacific Islander. Children of Hispanic origin may be of any race.

4Mother and father can include biological, adoptive, step, in-law, or foster relationships. Legal guardians are classified in ‘‘Neither mother nor father.’’

5Parent’s education is the education level of the parent with the higher level of education.

6‘‘Less than $20,000’’ and ‘‘$20,000 or more’’ include both respondents reporting specific dollar amounts and respondents reporting that their incomes were within those categories (see appendix I).

The indented categories include only those respondents who reported specific dollar amounts. Children with unknown family income are not shown.

7Poverty status is based on family income and family size using the U.S. Census Bureau’s poverty thresholds. ‘‘Poor’’ children are in families defined as below the poverty threshold. ‘‘Near poor’’

children are in families with incomes of 100% to less than 200% of the poverty threshold. ‘‘Not poor’’ children are in families with incomes of 200% of the poverty threshold or greater.

8Private health insurance may be obtained through the workplace or purchased directly. Among children under 18 years of age, ‘‘Medicaid/other public’’ includes those with Medicaid or other public

health insurance coverage (e.g., most state-sponsored coverage). ‘‘Other coverage’’ includes Medicare, military health insurance coverage, and/or another form of government-sponsored health

insurance coverage. Children with only Indian Health Service coverage are considered uninsured in this table.

9MSA is Metropolitan Statistical Area. Large MSAs have a population size of 1,000,000 or more; small MSAs have a population size of less than 1,000,000. ‘‘Not in MSA’’ consists of persons not living

in a Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Series 10, No. 203 [ Page 11

Table 3. Frequencies and percents (with standard errors) of ever told had a learning disability or Attention Deficit Disorder, for children

3–17 years of age, by selected characteristics: United States, 1997

Ever told had Ever told had

All children learning Attention Deficit Learning Attention Deficit

Selected characteristic 3–17 years disability1 Disorder1 disability1 Disorder1

Number in thousands2 Percent2 (standard error)

Total .............................. 59,903 4,642 3,296 7.8 (0.30) 5.5 (0.24)

Sex

Male .............................. 30,617 3,092 2,534 10.1 (0.49) 8.3 (0.41)

Female ............................ 29,286 1,550 762 5.3 (0.36) 2.6 (0.26)

Age

3–4 years ........................... 8,267 146 43 1.8 (0.37) 0.5 (0.15)

5–17 years .......................... 51,635 4,496 3,252 8.7 (0.34) 6.3 (0.28)

5–11 years ......................... 28,272 2,041 1,659 7.2 (0.41) 5.9 (0.37)

12–17 years ........................ 23,364 2,455 1,594 10.5 (0.58) 6.8 (0.44)

Race/ethnicity3

White, non-Hispanic .................... 39,242 3,341 2,557 8.5 (0.39) 6.5 (0.32)

Black, non-Hispanic ..................... 9,166 695 389 7.6 (0.75) 4.3 (0.50)

Other, non-Hispanic ..................... 2,869 116 70 4.1 (1.16) *2.4 (0.82)

Hispanic ............................ 8,626 489 280 5.7 (0.47) 3.3 (0.42)

Mexican American .................... 4,763 211 113 4.4 (0.53) 2.4 (0.49)

Family Structure4

Mother and father ...................... 42,817 2,939 2,148 6.9 (0.34) 5.0 (0.28)

Mother, no father ...................... 13,603 1,449 898 10.7 (0.70) 6.6 (0.53)

Father, no mother ...................... 1,589 125 145 7.9 (1.62) 9.1 (1.89)

Neither mother nor father ................. 1,894 128 105 6.8 (1.31) 5.5 (1.29)

Parent’s education5

Less than 12 years ..................... 7,837 743 392 9.5 (0.90) 5.0 (0.67)

12 years ............................ 14,877 1,382 859 9.3 (0.62) 5.8 (0.54)

More than 12 years ..................... 34,900 2,388 1,936 6.9 (0.36) 5.6 (0.32)

Family income6

Less than $20,000 ..................... 13,372 1,460 872 11.0 (0.69) 6.5 (0.58)

$20,000 or more ....................... 44,275 3,065 2,337 6.9 (0.33) 5.3 (0.27)

$20,000–$34,999 ..................... 9,751 838 550 8.6 (0.76) 5.7 (0.65)

$35,000–$54,999 ..................... 11,793 964 642 8.2 (0.68) 5.5 (0.54)

$55,000–$74,999 ..................... 8,403 552 445 6.6 (0.74) 5.3 (0.68)

$75,000 or more ..................... 9,431 521 543 5.5 (0.61) 5.8 (0.62)

Poverty status7

Poor .............................. 9,888 1,002 540 10.2 (0.79) 5.5 (0.67)

Near poor ........................... 10,927 1,158 699 10.6 (0.82) 6.4 (0.71)

Not poor ............................ 30,063 1,984 1,686 6.6 (0.38) 5.6 (0.35)

Health insurance coverage8

Private ............................. 40,511 2,709 2,193 6.7 (0.34) 5.4 (0.29)

Medicaid/other public .................... 9,334 1,233 758 13.3 (0.90) 8.2 (0.72)

Other .............................. 1,425 97 74 6.8 (1.83) 5.2 (1.49)

Uninsured ........................... 8,147 585 249 7.2 (0.79) 3.1 (0.48)

Place of residence

Large MSA9 ......................... 27,839 2,014 1,402 7.3 (0.36) 5.1 (0.34)

Small MSA9 ......................... 19,464 1,526 1,207 7.9 (0.57) 6.2 (0.48)

Not in MSA9 ......................... 12,600 1,102 686 8.8 (0.74) 5.5 (0.52)

Region

Northeast ........................... 11,521 916 536 8.0 (0.66) 4.7 (0.53)

Midwest ............................ 14,996 1,218 919 8.1 (0.62) 6.1 (0.50)

South ............................. 21,064 1,669 1,289 8.0 (0.55) 6.1 (0.44)

West .............................. 12,321 838 552 6.8 (0.50) 4.5 (0.47)
Page 12 [ Series 10, No. 203

Table 3. Frequencies and percents (with standard errors) of ever told had a learning disability or Attention Deficit Disorder, for children

3–17 years of age, by selected characteristics: United States, 1997—Con.

Ever told had Ever told had

All children learning Attention Deficit Learning Attention Deficit

Selected characteristic 3–17 years disability1 Disorder1 disability1 Disorder1

Current health status Number in thousands2 Percent2 (standard error)

Excellent/very good/good ................. 58,596 4,259 3,089 7.3 (0.30) 5.3 (0.24)

Fair/poor ........................... 1,275 383 207 30.4 (3.51) 16.5 (3.13)

Sex and age

Male:

3–4 years ........................... 4,174 94 26 2.3 (0.55) *0.6 (0.24)

5–17 years .......................... 26,442 2,998 2,508 11.4 (0.55) 9.5 (0.46)

5–11 years ......................... 14,390 1,274 1,231 8.9 (0.66) 8.6 (0.64)

12–17 years ........................ 12,052 1,725 1,277 14.3 (0.89) 10.6 (0.72)

Female:

3–4 years ........................... 4,093 52 17 *1.3 (0.51) *0.4 (0.19)

5–17 years .......................... 25,193 1,498 744 6.0 (0.40) 3.0 (0.30)

5–11 years ......................... 13,881 767 428 5.5 (0.53) 3.1 (0.45)

12–17 years ........................ 11,312 730 316 6.5 (0.63) 2.8 (0.40)

*Figure does not meet standard of reliability or precision.

1Data in this table are based on the following Sample Child (S.C.) questions: ‘‘Has a representative from a school or a health professional ever told you that [S.C.name] had a learning disability?’’ ‘‘Has

a doctor or health professional ever told you that [S.C.name] had Attention Deficit Disorder?’’ See appendix II for more detailed definitions of selected terms used in this report.

2Unknowns for the variable of interest are not included in the denominators when calculating percents. They are, however, included in the ‘‘All children’’ column. Additionally, numbers may not add to

their respective totals because of rounding.

3‘‘Other, non-Hispanic’’ includes non-Hispanic children whose race was identified as American Indian, Alaska Native, Asian, or Pacific Islander. Children of Hispanic origin may be of any race.

4Mother and father can include biological, adoptive, step, in-law, or foster relationships. Legal guardians are classified in ‘‘Neither mother nor father.’’

5Parent’s education is the education level of the parent with the higher level of education.

6‘‘Less than $20,000’’ and ‘‘$20,000 or more’’ include both respondents reporting specific dollar amounts and respondents reporting that their incomes were within those categories (see appendix I).

The indented categories include only those respondents who reported specific dollar amounts. Children with unknown family income are not shown.

7Poverty status is based on family income and family size using the U.S. Census Bureau’s poverty thresholds. ‘‘Poor’’ children are in families defined as below the poverty threshold. ‘‘Near poor’’

children are in families with incomes of 100% to less than 200% of the poverty threshold. ‘‘Not poor’’ children are in families with incomes of 200% of the poverty threshold or greater.

8Private health insurance may be obtained through the workplace or purchased directly. Among children under 18 years of age, ‘‘Medicaid/other public’’ includes those with Medicaid or other public

health insurance coverage (e.g., most state-sponsored coverage). ‘‘Other coverage’’ includes Medicare, military health insurance coverage, and/or another form of government-sponsored health

insurance coverage. Children with only Indian Health Service coverage are considered uninsured in this table.

9MSA is Metropolitan Statistical Area. Large MSAs have a population size of 1,000,000 or more; small MSAs have a population size of less than 1,000,000. ‘‘Not in MSA’’ consists of persons not living

in a Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Series 10, No. 203 [ Page 13

Table 4. Frequencies and percents (with standard errors) of having a problem for which prescription medication had been taken regularly

for at least 3 months for children 17 years of age and under, by selected characteristics: United States, 1997

Prescripton Prescripton

medication taken medication taken

All children regularly for at regularly for at

Selected characteristic 0–17 years least 3 months1 least 3 months1

Percent2

Number in thousands2 (standard error)

Total ....................................... 71,359 6,559 9.2 (0.29)

Sex

Male ....................................... 36,534 3,922 10.8 (0.44)

Female ..................................... 34,825 2,637 7.6 (0.38)

Age

0–4 years .................................... 19,724 966 4.9 (0.38)

5–17 years ................................... 51,635 5,593 10.9 (0.38)

5–11 years .................................. 28,272 2,521 8.9 (0.45)

12–17 years ................................. 23,364 3,072 13.2 (0.61)

Race/ethnicity3

White, non-Hispanic ............................. 46,509 4,732 10.2 (0.39)

Black, non-Hispanic .............................. 10,824 926 8.6 (0.76)

Other, non-Hispanic .............................. 3,369 192 5.7 (1.26)

Hispanic ..................................... 10,657 709 6.7 (0.46)

Mexican American ............................. 5,914 345 5.8 (0.62)

Family structure4

Mother and father ............................... 51,645 4,479 8.7 (0.34)

Mother, no father ............................... 15,979 1,742 10.9 (0.61)

Father, no mother ............................... 1,674 186 11.1 (1.93)

Neither mother nor father .......................... 2,048 153 7.5 (1.40)

Parent’s education5

Less than 12 years .............................. 9,599 761 7.9 (0.72)

12 years ..................................... 17,514 1,459 8.3 (0.57)

More than 12 years .............................. 41,744 4,157 10.0 (0.39)

Family income6

Less than $20,000 .............................. 16,561 1,587 9.6 (0.60)

$20,000 or more ................................ 52,144 4,788 9.2 (0.35)

$20,000–$34,999 .............................. 11,656 986 8.5 (0.78)

$35,000–$54,999 .............................. 14,009 1,310 9.4 (0.68)

$55,000–$74,999 .............................. 9,880 879 8.9 (0.79)

$75,000 or more .............................. 10,992 1,188 10.8 (0.78)

Poverty status7

Poor ....................................... 12,021 1,209 10.1 (0.75)

Near poor .................................... 13,252 1,013 7.6 (0.66)

Not poor ..................................... 35,437 3,567 10.1 (0.44)

Health insurance coverage8

Private ...................................... 47,358 4,468 9.4 (0.37)

Medicaid/other public ............................. 12,276 1,417 11.6 (0.75)

Other ....................................... 1,735 179 10.3 (1.64)

Uninsured .................................... 9,386 455 4.9 (0.57)

Place of residence

Large MSA9 .................................. 33,535 2,956 8.8 (0.40)

Small MSA9 .................................. 23,258 2,229 9.6 (0.51)

Not in MSA9 .................................. 14,566 1,373 9.4 (0.68)

Region

Northeast .................................... 13,860 1,207 8.7 (0.58)

Midwest ..................................... 17,815 1,717 9.7 (0.61)

South ...................................... 24,899 2,437 9.8 (0.51)

West ....................................... 14,785 1,197 8.1 (0.63)
Page 14 [ Series 10, No. 203

Table 4. Frequencies and percents (with standard errors) of having a problem for which prescription medication had been taken regularly

for at least 3 months for children 17 years of age and under, by selected characteristics: United States, 1997—Con.

Prescripton Prescripton

medication taken medication taken

All children regularly for at regularly for at

Selected characteristic 0–17 years least 3 months1 least 3 months1

Percent2

Current health status Number in thousands2 (standard error)

Excellent/very good/good .......................... 69,883 5,842 8.4 (0.27)

Fair/poor .................................... 1,441 717 50.0 (3.49)

Sex and age

Male:

0–4 years .................................. 10,092 561 5.6 (0.60)

5–17 years .................................. 26,442 3,361 12.7 (0.55)

5–11 years ................................ 14,390 1,652 11.5 (0.68)

12–17 years ............................... 12,052 1,709 14.2 (0.85)

Female:

0–4 years 9,632 405 4.2 (0.50)

5–17 years .................................. 25,193 2,232 8.9 (0.50)

5–11 years ................................ 13,881 868 6.3 (0.60)

12–17 years ............................... 11,312 1,363 12.1 (0.83)

1Data in this table are based on the following Sample Child (S.C.) question: ‘‘Does [S.C.name] now have a problem for which [he/she] has regularly taken prescription medication for at least three

months?’’ See appendix II for more detailed definitions of selected terms used in this report.

2Unknowns for the variable of interest are not included in the denominators when calculating percents. They are, however, included in the ‘‘All children’’ column. Additionally, numbers may not add to

their respective totals because of rounding.

3‘‘Other, non-Hispanic’’ includes non-Hispanic children whose race was identified as American Indian, Alaska Native, Asian, or Pacific Islander. Children of Hispanic origin may be of any race.

4Mother and father can include biological, adoptive, step, in-law, or foster relationships. Legal guardians are classified in ‘‘Neither mother nor father.’’

5Parent’s education is the education level of the parent with the higher level of education.

6‘‘Less than $20,000’’ and ‘‘$20,000 or more’’ include both respondents reporting specific dollar amounts and respondents reporting that their incomes were within those categories (see appendix I).

The indented categories include only those respondents who reported specific dollar amounts. Children with unknown family income are not shown.

7Poverty status is based on family income and family size using the U.S. Census Bureau’s poverty thresholds. ‘‘Poor’’ children are in families defined as below the poverty threshold. ‘‘Near poor’’

children are in families with incomes of 100% to less than 200% of the poverty threshold. ‘‘Not poor’’ children are in families with incomes of 200% of the poverty threshold or greater.

8Private health insurance may be obtained through the workplace or purchased directly. Among children under 18 years of age, ‘‘Medicaid/other public’’ includes those with Medicaid or other public

health insurance coverage (e.g., most state-sponsored coverage). ‘‘Other coverage’’ includes Medicare, military health insurance coverage, and/or another form of government-sponsored health

insurance coverage. Children with only Indian Health Service coverage are considered uninsured in this table.

9MSA is Metropolitan Statistical Area. Large MSAs have a population size of 1,000,000 or more; small MSAs have a population size of less than 1,000,000. ‘‘Not in MSA’’ consists of persons not living

in a Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Series 10, No. 203 [ Page 15

Table 5. Frequency distributions of respondent-assessed health status for children aged 17 and younger, by selected characteristics:

United States, 1997

Respondent-assessed health status1

All children

Selected characteristic 0–17 years Excellent Very good Good Fair Poor

Number in thousands2

Total .............................. 71,359 38,978 19,746 11,158 1,214 227

Sex

Male .............................. 36,534 19,687 10,223 5,792 663 141

Female ............................ 34,825 19,292 9,523 5,366 551 86

Age

0–4 years ........................... 19,724 11,231 5,370 2,744 321 53

5–17 years .......................... 51,635 27,747 14,376 8,414 893 174

5–11 years ......................... 28,272 15,411 7,649 4,600 486 108

12–17 years ........................ 23,364 12,336 6,727 3,814 407 66

Race/ethnicity3

White, non-Hispanic .................... 46,509 27,941 12,376 5,551 529 90

Black,non-Hispanic ..................... 10,824 4,825 3,140 2,429 352 71

Other, non-Hispanic ..................... 3,369 1,753 902 671 31 9

Hispanic ............................ 10,657 4,459 3,328 2,508 301 57

Mexican American .................... 5,914 2,343 1,787 1,587 161 36

Parental structure4

Mother and father ...................... 51,645 30,094 14,025 6,726 679 100

Mother, no father ...................... 15,979 7,098 4,633 3,645 486 108

Father, no mother ...................... 1,674 814 557 276 17 10

Neither mother nor father ................. 2,048 972 524 508 32 8

Parent’s education5

Less than 12 years ..................... 9,599 3,662 2,706 2,757 396 76

12 years ............................ 17,514 8,338 5,110 3,665 348 46

More than 12 years ..................... 41,744 25,844 11,227 4,147 429 97

Family income6

Less than $20,000 ..................... 16,561 6,706 4,757 4,378 602 114

$20,000 or more ....................... 52,144 31,092 14,179 6,233 537 104

$20,000–$34,999 ..................... 11,656 5,902 3,221 2,284 204 46

$35,000–$54,999 ..................... 14,009 8,094 3,981 1,756 166 12

$55,000–$74,999 ..................... 9,880 6,264 2,679 815 108 14

$75,000 or more ..................... 10,992 7,658 2,689 605 41 *–

Poverty status7

Poor .............................. 12,021 4,743 3,404 3,353 429 92

Near poor ........................... 13,252 6,642 3,706 2,564 282 55

Not poor ............................ 35,437 22,379 9,495 3,197 336 31

Health insurance8

Private ............................. 47,358 28,415 13,082 5,345 415 94

Medicaid/other public .................... 12,276 4,661 3,481 3,463 571 96

Other .............................. 1,735 1,021 425 274 15 *–

Uninsured ........................... 9,386 4,516 2,603 2,010 210 38

Place of residence

Large MSA9 ......................... 33,535 18,389 9,484 5,036 508 104

Small MSA9 ......................... 23,258 12,863 6,253 3,581 461 94

Not in MSA9 ......................... 14,566 7,727 4,009 2,541 244 29

Region

Northeast ........................... 13,860 7,586 4,119 1,921 192 35

Midwest ............................ 17,815 10,052 5,115 2,372 220 49

South ............................. 24,899 13,296 6,532 4,432 531 89

West .............................. 14,785 8,045 3,980 2,433 270 54
Page 16 [ Series 10, No. 203

Table 5. Frequency distributions of respondent-assessed health status for children aged 17 and younger, by selected characteristics:

United States, 1997—Con.

Respondent-assessed health status1

All children

Selected characteristic 0–17 years Excellent Very good Good Fair Poor

Sex and age Number in thousands2

Male:

0–4 years ......................... 10,092 5,701 2,860 1,343 160 28

5–17 years ......................... 26,442 13,986 7,363 4,449 503 113

5–11 years ....................... 14,390 7,589 3,878 2,529 306 70

12–17 years ...................... 12,052 6,397 3,485 1,920 197 43

Female:

0–4 years ......................... 9,632 5,530 2,510 1,401 161 25

5–17 years ......................... 25,193 13,761 7,013 3,965 390 60

5–11 years ....................... 13,881 7,823 3,770 2,071 180 38

12–17 years ...................... 11,312 5,939 3,243 1,894 210 23

*Figure does not meet standard of reliability or precision.

– Quantity zero.

1Data in this table are based on the following question: ‘‘Would you say [subject’s name] health in general was excellent, very good, good, fair, or poor?’’ Information about all children under 18 years

of age was obtained from a knowledgeable family member.

2Unknowns for the variable of interest are not shown in the frequency distributions. They are, however, included in the ‘‘All children’’ column. Hence, row frequencies may not sum to the total number of

children in column 1. Additionally, numbers may not add to their respective totals because of rounding.

3‘‘Other, non-Hispanic’’ includes non-Hispanic children whose race was identified as American Indian, Alaska Native, Asian, or Pacific Islander. Children of Hispanic origin may be of any race.

4Mother and father can include biological, adoptive, step, in-law, or foster relationships. Legal guardians are classified in ‘‘Neither mother nor father.’’

5Parent’s education is the education level of the parent with the higher level of education.

6‘‘Less than $20,000’’ and ‘‘$20,000 or more’’ include both respondents reporting specific dollar amounts and respondents reporting that their incomes were within those categories (see appendix I).

The indented categories include only those respondents who reported specific dollar amounts. Children with unknown family income are not shown.

7Poverty status is based on family income and family size using the U.S. Census Bureau’s poverty thresholds. ‘‘Poor’’ children are in families defined as below the poverty threshold. ‘‘Near poor’’

children are in families with incomes of 100% to less than 200% of the poverty threshold. ‘‘Not poor’’ children are in families with incomes of 200% of the poverty threshold or greater.

8Private health insurance may be obtained through the workplace or purchased directly. Among children under 18 years of age, ‘‘Medicaid/other public’’ includes those with Medicaid or other public

health insurance coverage (e.g., most state-sponsored coverage). ‘‘Other coverage’’ includes Medicare, military health insurance coverage, and/or another form of government-sponsored health

insurance coverage. Children with only Indian Health Service coverage are considered uninsured in this table.

9MSA is Metropolitan Statistical Area. Large MSAs have a population size of 1,000,000 or more; small MSAs have a population size of less than 1,000,000. ‘‘Not in MSA’’ consists of persons not living

in a Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Series 10, No. 203 [ Page 17

Table 6. Percent distribution (with standard errors) of respondent-assessed health status for children 17 years of age and under, by

selected characteristics: United States, 1997

Respondent-assessed health status1

All children

Selected characteristic 0–17 years Excellent Very good Good Fair Poor

Percent distribution2 (standard error)

Total .............................. 100.0 (0.00) 54.6 (0.53) 27.7 (0.49) 15.6 (0.39) 1.7 (0.13) 0.3 (0.05)

Sex

Male .............................. 100.0 (0.00) 53.9 (0.77) 28.0 (0.69) 15.9 (0.52) 1.8 (0.19) 0.4 (0.08)

Female ............................ 100.0 (0.00) 55.4 (0.72) 27.4 (0.66) 15.4 (0.55) 1.6 (0.17) 0.2 (0.06)

Not

Age

0–4 years ........................... 100.0 (0.00) 57.0 (0.94) 27.2 (0.84) 13.9 (0.62) 1.6 (0.24) *0.3 (0.09)

5–17 years .......................... 100.0 (0.00) 53.8 (0.60) 27.9 (0.58) 16.3 (0.46) 1.7 (0.16) 0.3 (0.06)

5–11 years ......................... 100.0 (0.00) 54.5 (0.88) 27.1 (0.78) 16.3 (0.63) 1.7 (0.20) 0.4 (0.10)

12–17 years ........................ 100.0 (0.00) 52.8 (0.86) 28.8 (0.85) 16.3 (0.66) 1.7 (0.25) 0.3 (0.08)

Race/ethnicity3

White, non-Hispanic .................... 100.0 (0.00) 60.1 (0.67) 26.6 (0.58) 11.9 (0.45) 1.1 (0.13) 0.2 (0.06)

Black,non-Hispanic ..................... 100.0 (0.00) 44.6 (1.34) 29.0 (1.31) 22.5 (1.09) 3.3 (0.44) 0.7 (0.19)

Other, non-Hispanic ..................... 100.0 (0.00) 52.1 (2.49) 26.8 (2.22) 19.9 (2.15) *0.9 (0.44) *0.3 (0.21)

Hispanic ............................ 100.0 (0.00) 41.9 (1.13) 31.2 (1.16) 23.5 (0.86) 2.8 (0.31) 0.5 (0.14)

Mexican American .................... 100.0 (0.00) 39.6 (1.38) 30.2 (1.46) 26.8 (1.25) 2.7 (0.39) *0.6 (0.22)

Family structure4

Mother and father ...................... 100.0 (0.00) 58.3 (0.64) 27.2 (0.54) 13.0 (0.42) 1.3 (0.13) 0.2 (0.05)

Mother, no father ...................... 100.0 (0.00) 44.4 (1.02) 29.0 (1.00) 22.8 (0.94) 3.0 (0.32) 0.7 (0.16)

Father, no mother ...................... 100.0 (0.00) 48.6 (3.16) 33.2 (2.63) 16.5 (2.16) *1.0 (0.52) *0.6 (0.43)

Neither mother nor father ................. 100.0 (0.00) 47.6 (2.93) 25.6 (2.60) 24.9 (2.47) *1.6 (0.55) *0.4 (0.41)

Parent’s education5

Less than 12 years ..................... 100.0 (0.00) 38.2 (1.27) 28.2 (1.18) 28.7 (1.22) 4.1 (0.51) 0.8 (0.21)

12 years ............................ 100.0 (0.00) 47.6 (1.04) 29.2 (0.94) 20.9 (0.91) 2.0 (0.26) *0.3 (0.10)

More than 12 years ..................... 100.0 (0.00) 61.9 (0.65) 26.9 (0.61) 9.9 (0.40) 1.0 (0.14) 0.2 (0.06)

Family Income6

Less than $20,000 ..................... 100.0 (0.00) 40.5 (0.99) 28.7 (0.96) 26.4 (0.98) 3.6 (0.36) 0.7 (0.16)

$20,000 or more ....................... 100.0 (0.00) 59.6 (0.62) 27.2 (0.55) 12.0 (0.42) 1.0 (0.12) 0.2 (0.05)

$20,000–$34,999 ..................... 100.0 (0.00) 50.6 (1.27) 27.6 (1.18) 19.6 (1.02) 1.8 (0.26) *0.4 (0.13)

$35,000–$54,999 ..................... 100.0 (0.00) 57.8 (1.17) 28.4 (1.11) 12.5 (0.76) 1.2 (0.23) *0.1 (0.05)

$55,000–$74,999 ..................... 100.0 (0.00) 63.4 (1.31) 27.1 (1.19) 8.3 (0.73) *1.1 (0.34) *0.1 (0.11)

$75,000 or more ..................... 100.0 (0.00) 69.7 (1.23) 24.5 (1.10) 5.5 (0.60) *0.4 (0.15) *–

Poverty status7

Poor .............................. 100.0 (0.00) 39.5 (1.20) 28.3 (1.16) 27.9 (1.15) 3.6 (0.44) 0.8 (0.20)

Near poor ........................... 100.0 (0.00) 50.1 (1.15) 28.0 (1.09) 19.4 (0.92) 2.1 (0.28) 0.4 (0.12)

Not poor ............................ 100.0 (0.00) 63.2 (0.74) 26.8 (0.63) 9.0 (0.40) 0.9 (0.16) *0.1 (0.04)

Health insurance8

Private ............................. 100.0 (0.00) 60.0 (0.62) 27.6 (0.57) 11.3 (0.41) 0.9 (0.12) 0.2 (0.06)

Medicaid/other public .................... 100.0 (0.00) 38.0 (1.12) 28.4 (1.20) 28.2 (1.19) 4.7 (0.49) 0.8 (0.17)

Other .............................. 100.0 (0.00) 58.8 (3.04) 24.5 (2.75) 15.8 (2.21) *0.9 (0.53) *–

Uninsured ........................... 100.0 (0.00) 48.2 (1.43) 27.8 (1.15) 21.4 (1.09) 2.2 (0.36) *0.4 (0.16)

Place of residence

Large MSA9 ......................... 100.0 (0.00) 54.9 (0.75) 28.3 (0.70) 15.0 (0.51) 1.5 (0.17) 0.3 (0.07)

Small MSA9 ......................... 100.0 (0.00) 55.3 (0.92) 26.9 (0.85) 15.4 (0.68) 2.0 (0.25) 0.4 (0.10) ......................... in MSA9 100.0 (0.00) 53.1 (1.23) 27.6 (1.12) 17.5 (1.04) 1.7 (0.27) *0.2 (0.11)

Region

Northeast ........................... 100.0 (0.00) 54.8 (1.45) 29.7 (1.24) 13.9 (0.75) 1.4 (0.26) *0.3 (0.12)

Midwest ............................ 100.0 (0.00) 56.4 (0.93) 28.7 (0.96) 13.3 (0.81) 1.2 (0.20) *0.3 (0.11)

South ............................. 100.0 (0.00) 53.4 (0.91) 26.3 (0.86) 17.8 (0.71) 2.1 (0.26) 0.4 (0.09)

West .............................. 100.0 (0.00) 54.4 (1.05) 26.9 (0.90) 16.5 (0.74) 1.8 (0.24) 0.4 (0.11)
Page 18 [ Series 10, No. 203

Table 6. Percent distribution (with standard errors) of respondent-assessed health status for children 17 years of age and under, by

selected characteristics: United States, 1997—Con.

1

Respondent-assessed health status

All children

Selected characteristic 0–17 years Excellent Very good Good Fair Poor

Sex and age Percent distribution2 (standard error)

Male:

0–4 years ........................... 100.0 (0.00) 56.5 (1.34) 28.3 (1.23) 13.3 (0.83) 1.6 (0.33) *0.3 (0.13)

5–17 years .......................... 100.0 (0.00) 52.9 (0.83) 27.9 (0.79) 16.8 (0.63) 1.9 (0.24) 0.4 (0.10)

5–11 years ......................... 100.0 (0.00) 52.8 (1.14) 27.0 (1.04) 17.6 (0.86) 2.1 (0.33) *0.5 (0.15)

12–17 years ........................ 100.0 (0.00) 53.1 (1.20) 28.9 (1.12) 15.9 (0.91) 1.6 (0.36) *0.4 (0.14)

Female:

0–4 years ........................... 100.0 (0.00) 57.4 (1.33) 26.1 (1.11) 14.6 (0.91) 1.7 (0.34) *0.3 (0.13)

5–17 years .......................... 100.0 (0.00) 54.6 (0.86) 27.8 (0.82) 15.7 (0.63) 1.5 (0.20) *0.2 (0.07)

5–11 years ......................... 100.0 (0.00) 56.4 (1.28) 27.2 (1.14) 14.9 (0.86) 1.3 (0.23) *0.3 (0.11)

12–17 years ........................ 100.0 (0.00) 52.5 (1.27) 28.7 (1.16) 16.7 (0.94) 1.9 (0.33) *0.2 (0.08)

*Figure does not meet standard of reliability or precision.

– Quantity zero.

1Data in this table are based on the following question: ‘‘Would you say [subject’s name] health in general was excellent, very good, fair, or poor?’’ Information about all children under 18 years of age

was obtained from a knowledgeable family member.

2Unknowns for the variable of interest are not included in the denominators when calculating percents. Additionally, percents may not add to 100.0% because of rounding.

3‘‘Other, non-Hispanic’’ includes non-Hispanic children whose race was identified as American Indian, Alaska Native, Asian, or Pacific Islander. Children of Hispanic origin may be of any race.

4Mother and father can include biological, adoptive, step, in-law, or foster relationships. Legal guardians are classified in ‘‘Neither mother nor father.’’

5Parent’s education is the education level of the parent with the higher level of education.

6‘‘Less than $20,000’’ and ‘‘$20,000 or more’’ include both respondents reporting specific dollar amounts and respondents reporting that their incomes were within those categories (see appendix I).

The indented categories include only those respondents who reported specific dollar amounts. Children with unknown family income are not shown.

7Poverty status is based on family income and family size using the U.S. Census Bureau’s poverty thresholds. ‘‘Poor’’ children are in families defined as below the poverty threshold. ‘‘Near poor’’

children are in families with incomes of 100% to less than 200% of the poverty threshold. ‘‘Not poor’’ children are in families with incomes of 200% of the poverty threshold or greater.

8Private health insurance may be obtained through the workplace or purchased directly. Among children under 18 years of age, ‘‘Medicaid/other public’’ includes those with Medicaid or other public

health insurance coverage (e.g., most state-sponsored coverage). ‘‘Other coverage’’ includes Medicare, military health insurance coverage, and/or another form of government-sponsored health

insurance coverage. Children with only Indian Health Service coverage are considered uninsured in this table.

9MSA is Metropolitan Statistical Area. Large MSAs have a population size of 1,000,000 or more; small MSAs have a population size of less than 1,000,000. ‘‘Not in MSA’’ consists of persons not living

in a Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Series 10, No. 203 [ Page 19

Table 7. Frequency distributions of health status compared with a year ago given current health status for children 1–17 years of age, by

selected characteristics: United States, 1997

Current health status1

Excellent/very good Good Fair/poor

About the About the About the

All children Better than same as Worse than Better than same as Worse than Better than same as Worse than

Selected characteristic 1–17 years last year last year last year last year last year last year last year last year last year

Number in thousands2

Total ......................... 67,562 11,503 43,282 529 3,072 7,205 397 356 823 203

Sex

Male ......................... 34,588 6,322 21,619 264 1,539 3,789 182 184 443 125

Female ....................... 32,974 5,180 21,663 265 1,533 3,416 215 172 380 78

Age

1–4 years ...................... 15,927 3,753 9,390 132 873 1,288 115 115 174 35

5–17 years ..................... 51,635 7,749 33,892 397 2,199 5,918 282 241 650 168

5–11 years .................... 28,272 4,466 18,336 204 1,290 3,144 159 165 352 68

12–17 years ................... 23,364 3,284 15,556 193 909 2,773 123 76 297 100

Race/ethnicity3

White, non-Hispanic ............... 44,073 7,159 30,546 325 1,602 3,511 226 155 320 115

Black,non-Hispanic ................ 10,335 1,609 5,890 70 605 1,623 85 66 272 67

Other, non-Hispanic ................ 3,200 690 1,752 61 155 480 3 7 34 *–

Hispanic ....................... 9,954 2,045 5,094 72 710 1,591 82 129 197 21

Mexican American ............... 5,532 1,072 2,705 43 463 1,022 37 71 105 10

Family structure4

Mother and father ................. 48,587 8,361 32,581 408 1,923 4,218 251 238 392 113

Mother, no father ................. 15,299 2,486 8,555 91 926 2,447 142 110 380 84

Father, no mother ................. 1,655 327 1,017 13 91 180 *– *– 19 5

Neither mother nor father ............ 2,016 330 1,130 17 129 360 3 8 32 *–

Parent’s education5

Less than 12 years ................ 9,008 1,474 4,361 67 602 1,960 70 135 270 57

12 years ....................... 16,663 2,671 9,977 76 947 2,471 104 89 245 38

More than 12 years ................ 39,433 7,012 27,541 369 1,368 2,367 219 123 276 108

Family income6

Less than $20,000 ................ 15,531 2,716 7,799 107 1,142 2,885 159 192 407 95

$20,000 or more .................. 49,490 8,503 33,950 391 1,796 3,950 223 153 356 104

$20,000–$34,999 ................ 11,081 2,088 6,442 90 658 1,499 51 37 178 24

$35,000–$54,999 ................ 13,250 2,468 8,782 103 585 1,050 82 49 101 15

$55,000–$74,999 ................ 9,390 1,593 6,866 48 196 524 40 54 32 36

$75,000 or more ................ 10,456 1,736 7,988 130 192 346 23 14 17 7

Poverty status7

Poor ......................... 11,315 2,054 5,496 55 860 2,217 127 140 296 69

Near poor ...................... 12,525 2,227 7,381 82 793 1,653 49 52 240 37

Not poor ....................... 33,620 6,033 23,867 306 957 1,932 155 126 158 60

Health insurance coverage8

Private ........................ 45,100 7,537 31,514 343 1,480 3,432 223 118 256 108

Medicaid/other public ............... 11,166 1,911 5,271 71 973 2,155 121 161 408 67

Other ......................... 1,629 303 1,001 32 83 172 10 5 9 1

Uninsured ...................... 9,102 1,626 5,161 77 517 1,398 43 72 149 26

Place of residence

Large MSA9 .................... 31,513 5,486 20,303 264 1,355 3,223 181 136 387 61

Small MSA9 .................... 22,059 3,779 14,069 180 1,060 2,317 89 144 273 107

Not in MSA9 .................... 13,990 2,237 8,910 85 657 1,666 127 75 163 36

Region

Northeast ...................... 13,074 2,058 8,816 123 563 1,174 90 36 158 33

Midwest ....................... 16,864 2,659 11,569 121 588 1,583 64 64 130 45

South ........................ 23,690 4,100 14,469 163 1,199 2,877 184 146 381 74

West ......................... 13,935 2,687 8,427 122 722 1,572 59 109 154 51
Page 20 [ Series 10, No. 203

Table 7. Frequency distributions of health status compared with a year ago given current health status for children 1–17 years of age, by

selected characteristics: United States, 1997—Con.

Current health status1

Excellent/very good Good Fair/poor

About the About the About the

All children Better than same as Worse than Better than same as Worse than Better than same as Worse than

Selected characteristic 1–17 years last year last year last year last year last year last year last year last year last year

Sex and age Number in thousands2

Male:

1–4 years ...................... 8,146 2,047 4,790 54 428 594 48 54 69 22

5–17 years ..................... 26,442 4,276 16,829 211 1,111 3,195 134 131 374 103

5–11 years .................... 14,390 2,357 8,994 101 629 1,803 93 106 225 37

12–17 years ................... 12,052 1,919 7,835 110 482 1,392 42 24 150 66

Female:

1–4 years ...................... 7,781 1,707 4,600 78 445 693 67 62 105 13

5–17 years ..................... 25,193 3,474 17,063 187 1,088 2,723 148 110 275 65

5–11 years .................... 13,881 2,109 9,342 103 661 1,341 67 59 128 31

12–17 years ................... 11,312 1,364 7,721 83 427 1,382 81 51 148 34

*Figure does not meet standard of reliability or precision.

– Quantity zero.

1Data in this table are based on the following questions: ‘‘Would you say [subject’s name] health in general was excellent, very good, good, fair, or poor?’’ ‘‘Compared with 12 months ago, would you

say [subject’s name]’s health is better, worse, or about the same?’’ Information about all children under 18 years of age was obtained from a knowledgeable family member. See appendix II for more

detailed definitions of selected terms used in this report.

2Unknowns for the variable of interest are not shown in the frequency distributions. They are, however, included in the ‘‘All children’’ column. Hence, frequencies may not sum to their respective totals.

Additionally, numbers may not add to totals because of rounding.

3‘‘Other, non-Hispanic’’ includes non-Hispanic children whose race was identified as American Indian, Alaska Native, Asian, or Pacific Islander. Children of Hispanic origin may be of any race.

4Mother and father can include biological, adoptive, step, in-law, or foster relationships. Legal guardians are classified in ‘‘Neither mother nor father.’’

5Parent’s education is the education level of the parent with the higher level of education.

6‘‘Less than $20,000’’ and ‘‘$20,000 or more’’ include both respondents reporting specific dollar amounts and respondents reporting that their incomes were within those categories (see appendix I).

The indented categories include only those respondents who reported specific dollar amounts. Children with unknown family income are not shown.

7Poverty status is based on family income and family size using the U.S. Census Bureau’s poverty thresholds. ‘‘Poor’’ children are in families defined as below the poverty threshold. ‘‘Near poor’’

children are in families with incomes of 100% to less than 200% of the poverty threshold. ‘‘Not poor’’ children are in families with incomes of 200% of the poverty threshold or greater.

8Private health insurance may be obtained through the workplace or purchased directly. Among children under 18 years of age, ‘‘Medicaid/other public’’ includes those with Medicaid or other public

health insurance coverage (e.g., most state-sponsored coverage). ‘‘Other coverage’’ includes Medicare, military health insurance coverage, and/or another form of government-sponsored health

insurance coverage. Children with only Indian Health Service coverage are considered uninsured in this table.

9MSA is Metropolitan Statistical Area. Large MSAs have a population size of 1,000,000 or more; small MSAs have a population size of less than 1,000,000. ‘‘Not in MSA’’ consists of persons not living

in a Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Series 10, No. 203 [ Page 21

Table 8. Percent distributions (with standard errors) of health status compared with a year ago given current health status for children

1–17 years of age, by selected characteristics: United States, 1997

1

Current health status

Excellent/very good Good Fair/poor

About the About the About the

Better than same as Worse than Better than same as Worse than Better than same as Worse than

Selected characteristic last year last year last year last year last year last year last year last year last year

Percent distribution2 (standard error)

Total .................... 20.8 (0.47) 78.2 (0.46) 1.0 (0.11) 28.8 (1.11) 67.5 (1.12) 3.7 (0.48) 25.7 (3.09) 59.6 (3.25) 14.7 (2.49)

Sex

Male .................... 22.4 (0.65) 76.6 (0.65) 0.9 (0.14) 27.9 (1.58) 68.8 (1.55) 3.3 (0.65) 24.5 (4.15) 58.9 (4.25) 16.6 (3.76)

Female .................. 19.1 (0.65) 79.9 (0.64) 1.0 (0.15) 29.7 (1.66) 66.2 (1.68) 4.2 (0.69) 27.2 (4.53) 60.4 (4.88) 12.4 (3.03)

Age

1–4 years ................. 28.3 (1.07) 70.7 (1.05) 1.0 (0.21) 38.4 (2.40) 56.6 (2.49) 5.0 (1.08) 35.5 (6.90) 53.6 (7.20) *10.8 (3.70)

5–17 years ................ 18.4 (0.50) 80.6 (0.50) 0.9 (0.12) 26.2 (1.28) 70.5 (1.28) 3.4 (0.51) 22.8 (3.36) 61.4 (3.69) 15.8 (3.21)

5–11 years ............... 19.4 (0.69) 79.7 (0.70) 0.9 (0.17) 28.1 (1.82) 68.4 (1.86) 3.5 (0.80) 28.2 (4.72) 60.2 (5.24) *11.6 (3.55)

12–17 years .............. 17.3 (0.71) 81.7 (0.71) 1.0 (0.17) 23.9 (1.76) 72.9 (1.81) 3.2 (0.64) 16.0 (4.17) 62.9 (5.44) 21.1 (5.25)

Race/ethnicity3

White, non-Hispanic .......... 18.8 (0.55) 80.3 (0.55) 0.9 (0.13) 30.0 (1.73) 65.8 (1.77) 4.2 (0.70) 26.2 (5.16) 54.3 (5.22) 19.5 (4.83)

Black,non-Hispanic ........... 21.3 (1.25) 77.8 (1.28) 0.9 (0.28) 26.2 (2.59) 70.2 (2.70) *3.7 (1.24) 16.2 (4.69) 67.2 (6.03) 16.6 (4.56)

Other, non-Hispanic ........... 27.6 (2.48) 70.0 (2.60) *2.5 (0.92) 24.3 (4.94) 75.2 (4.95) *0.5 (0.39) *16.6 (15.12) 83.4 (15.12) *0.0 (0.00)

Hispanic .................. 28.4 (1.16) 70.6 (1.14) 1.0 (0.24) 29.8 (1.74) 66.8 (1.77) 3.4 (0.78) 37.1 (5.02) 56.9 (5.22) *5.9 (1.82)

Mexican American .......... 28.1 (1.69) 70.8 (1.66) *1.1 (0.38) 30.4 (2.33) 67.1 (2.27) *2.4 (0.98) 38.3 (7.06) 56.4 (7.24) *5.3 (2.40)

Family structure4

Mother and father ............ 20.2 (0.53) 78.8 (0.53) 1.0 (0.14) 30.1 (1.47) 66.0 (1.50) 3.9 (0.65) 32.0 (4.72) 52.7 (4.78) 15.2 (4.11)

Mother, no father ............ 22.3 (1.08) 76.9 (1.09) 0.8 (0.17) 26.3 (2.03) 69.6 (2.08) 4.1 (0.93) 19.1 (3.65) 66.3 (4.84) 14.6 (3.60)

Father, no mother ............ 24.1 (2.76) 74.9 (2.74) *1.0 (0.55) 33.6 (6.73) 66.4 (6.73) *– *– 77.5 (19.57) *22.5 (19.57)

Neither mother nor father ....... 22.3 (2.88) 76.5 (2.85) *1.1 (0.70) 26.3 (5.04) 73.1 (5.05) *0.7 (0.66) *20.2 (12.00) 79.8 (12.00) *–

Parent’s education5

Less than 12 years ........... 25.0 (1.59) 73.9 (1.57) 1.1 (0.34) 22.9 (2.02) 74.5 (2.15) *2.7 (0.83) 29.3 (5.15) 58.5 (5.79) 12.3 (3.66)

12 years .................. 21.0 (0.99) 78.4 (0.99) 0.6 (0.16) 26.9 (2.11) 70.1 (2.13) 3.0 (0.75) 24.0 (5.35) 65.8 (5.60) 10.2 (2.62)

More than 12 years ........... 20.1 (0.58) 78.9 (0.58) 1.1 (0.15) 34.6 (1.95) 59.9 (1.99) 5.5 (0.95) 24.3 (5.37) 54.4 (6.02) 21.3 (5.66)

Family income6

Less than $20,000 ........... 25.6 (1.16) 73.4 (1.17) 1.0 (0.23) 27.3 (1.89) 68.9 (1.89) 3.8 (0.85) 27.6 (4.17) 58.7 (4.79) 13.7 (3.04)

$20,000 or more ............. 19.8 (0.52) 79.2 (0.52) 0.9 (0.12) 30.1 (1.57) 66.2 (1.58) 3.7 (0.61) 25.0 (4.96) 58.0 (4.76) 17.0 (4.55)

$20,000–$34,999 ........... 24.2 (1.21) 74.7 (1.21) 1.0 (0.24) 29.8 (2.78) 67.9 (2.80) *2.3 (0.70) *15.5 (5.14) 74.4 (6.32) *10.1 (4.57)

$35,000–$54,999 ........... 21.7 (1.00) 77.4 (1.03) 0.9 (0.23) 34.1 (3.00) 61.2 (2.96) 4.8 (1.33) 29.6 (8.81) 61.2 (9.75) *9.1 (6.78)

$55,000–$74,999 ........... 18.7 (1.10) 80.7 (1.09) *0.6 (0.18) 25.8 (4.16) 68.9 (4.53) *5.3 (2.15) *44.2 (14.28) *26.5 (11.88) *29.3 (15.06)

$75,000 or more ........... 17.6 (1.09) 81.1 (1.10) 1.3 (0.37) 34.2 (5.43) 61.7 (5.70) *4.1 (1.86) *36.7 (20.89) *44.6 (21.81) *18.7 (16.91)

Poverty status7

Poor .................... 27.0 (1.49) 72.3 (1.49) *0.7 (0.22) 26.8 (2.25) 69.2 (2.33) 4.0 (1.04) 27.8 (4.83) 58.5 (5.59) 13.6 (3.72)

Near poor ................. 23.0 (1.08) 76.2 (1.07) 0.8 (0.21) 31.8 (2.62) 66.3 (2.60) *2.0 (0.62) 15.8 (4.27) 73.1 (5.39) *11.1 (4.02)

Not poor .................. 20.0 (0.59) 79.0 (0.59) 1.0 (0.16) 31.4 (2.02) 63.5 (2.02) 5.1 (0.98) 36.6 (7.67) 45.9 (6.67) *17.5 (6.40)

Health insurance coverage8

Private ................... 19.1 (0.53) 80.0 (0.53) 0.9 (0.12) 28.8 (1.69) 66.8 (1.75) 4.3 (0.70) 24.5 (5.66) 53.1 (5.65) 22.5 (5.89)

Medicaid/other public .......... 26.3 (1.49) 72.7 (1.49) 1.0 (0.26) 29.9 (2.20) 66.3 (2.26) 3.7 (0.90) 25.3 (4.10) 64.2 (4.61) 10.5 (2.62)

Other .................... 22.7 (2.82) 74.9 (3.12) *2.4 (1.16) 31.5 (7.61) 64.8 (7.92) *3.7 (3.60) *29.2 (25.59) *61.2 (27.22) *9.6 (10.32)

Uninsured ................. 23.7 (1.27) 75.2 (1.28) 1.1 (0.30) 26.4 (2.39) 71.4 (2.44) *2.2 (0.95) 29.1 (7.21) 60.4 (7.60) *10.5 (4.23)

Place of residence

Large MSA9 ............... 21.1 (0.64) 77.9 (0.65) 1.0 (0.15) 28.5 (1.59) 67.7 (1.66) 3.8 (0.71) 23.3 (4.62) 66.3 (4.77) *10.4 (3.20)

Small MSA9 ............... 21.0 (0.96) 78.0 (0.96) 1.0 (0.21) 30.6 (2.13) 66.8 (2.04) 2.6 (0.60) 27.5 (5.27) 52.1 (5.29) 20.3 (4.82)

Not in MSA9 ............... 19.9 (0.89) 79.3 (0.89) 0.8 (0.23) 26.8 (2.26) 68.0 (2.32) 5.2 (1.29) 27.5 (6.56) 59.5 (6.92) 13.0 (3.78)

Region

Northeast ................. 18.7 (1.07) 80.2 (1.08) 1.1 (0.26) 30.8 (3.02) 64.2 (2.96) 4.9 (1.39) *15.9 (5.51) 69.4 (6.82) 14.6 (4.03)

Midwest .................. 18.5 (0.85) 80.6 (0.83) 0.8 (0.17) 26.3 (2.61) 70.8 (2.73) *2.9 (0.86) 26.9 (7.29) 54.4 (7.89) *18.7 (7.00)

South ................... 21.9 (0.77) 77.2 (0.77) 0.9 (0.17) 28.1 (1.75) 67.5 (1.72) 4.3 (0.86) 24.4 (4.69) 63.4 (5.13) *12.3 (3.98)

West .................... 23.9 (1.12) 75.0 (1.10) 1.1 (0.29) 30.7 (2.03) 66.8 (1.96) 2.5 (0.63) 34.6 (7.30) 49.1 (6.20) *16.2 (5.08)
Page 22 [ Series 10, No. 203

Table 8. Percent distributions (with standard errors) of health status compared with a year ago given current health status for children

1–17 years of age, by selected characteristics: United States, 1997—Con.

Current health status1

Excellent/very good Good Fair/poor

About the About the About the

Better than same as Worse than Better than same as Worse than Better than same as Worse than

Selected characteristic last year last year last year last year last year last year last year last year last year

Sex and age Percent distribution2 (standard error)

Male:

1–4 years ................. 29.7 (1.47) 69.5 (1.44) *0.8 (0.26) 40.0 (3.71) 55.5 (3.59) *4.5 (1.34) 37.1 (10.46) 47.5 (10.52) *15.4 (6.16)

5–17 years ................ 20.1 (0.76) 79.0 (0.76) 1.0 (0.17) 25.0 (1.70) 72.0 (1.69) 3.0 (0.74) 21.5 (4.38) 61.6 (4.57) 16.9 (4.42)

5–11 years ............... 20.6 (0.99) 78.5 (1.00) 0.9 (0.25) 24.9 (2.30) 71.4 (2.30) *3.7 (1.14) 28.9 (5.75) 61.1 (6.26) *10.0 (3.90)

12–17 years .............. 19.5 (1.12) 79.4 (1.11) 1.1 (0.23) 25.2 (2.51) 72.6 (2.59) *2.2 (0.85) *10.2 (4.80) 62.4 (7.67) 27.5 (7.91)

Female:

1–4 years ................. 26.7 (1.40) 72.0 (1.41) 1.2 (0.35) 36.9 (3.91) 57.5 (3.93) *5.6 (1.67) 34.3 (8.88) 58.5 (9.45) *7.2 (4.47)

5–17 years ................ 16.8 (0.71) 82.3 (0.71) 0.9 (0.17) 27.5 (1.96) 68.8 (2.01) 3.7 (0.72) 24.4 (5.16) 61.1 (6.02) *14.4 (4.47)

5–11 years ............... 18.3 (0.99) 80.9 (1.00) 0.9 (0.24) 32.0 (2.86) 64.8 (2.95) *3.2 (1.10) 27.0 (7.66) 58.7 (8.61) *14.3 (6.56)

12–17 years .............. 14.9 (0.94) 84.2 (0.95) 0.9 (0.24) 22.6 (2.33) 73.1 (2.43) 4.3 (0.94) *22.0 (6.80) 63.4 (8.25) *14.6 (6.06)

*Figure does not meet standard of reliability or precision.

– Quantity zero.

1Data in this table are based on the following questions: ‘‘Would you say [subject’s name] health in general was excellent, very good, good, fair, or poor?’’ ‘‘Compared with 12 months ago, would you

say [subject’s name]’s health is better, worse, or about the same?’’ Information about all children under 18 years of age was obtained from a knowledgeable family member. See appendix II for more

detailed definitions of selected terms used in this report.

2Unknowns for the variable of interest are not included in the denominators when calculating percents. Additionally, percents may not add to 100.0% because of rounding.

3.‘‘Other, non-Hispanic’’ includes non-Hispanic children whose race was identified as American Indian, Alaska Native, Asian, or Pacific Islander. Children of Hispanic origin may be of any race.

4Mother and father can include biological, adoptive, step, in-law, or foster relationships. Legal guardians are classified in ‘‘Neither mother nor father.’’

5Parent’s education is the education level of the parent with the higher level of education.

6‘‘Less than $20,000’’ and ‘‘$20,000 or more’’ include both respondents reporting specific dollar amounts and respondents reporting that their incomes were within those categories (see appendix I).

The indented categories include only those respondents who reported specific dollar amounts. Children with unknown family income are not shown.

7Poverty status is based on family income and family size using the U.S. Census Bureau’s poverty thresholds. ‘‘Poor’’ children are in families defined as below the poverty threshold. ‘‘Near poor’’

children are in families with incomes of 100% to less than 200% of the poverty threshold. ‘‘Not poor’’ children are in families with incomes of 200% of the poverty threshold or greater.

8Private health insurance may be obtained through the workplace or purchased directly. Among children under 18 years of age, ‘‘Medicaid/other public’’ includes those with Medicaid or other public

health insurance coverage (e.g., most state-sponsored coverage). ‘‘Other coverage’’ includes Medicare, military health insurance coverage, and/or another form of government-sponsored health

insurance coverage. Children with only Indian Health Service coverage are considered uninsured in this table.

9MSA is Metropolitan Statistical Area. Large MSAs have a population size of 1,000,000 or more; small MSAs have a population size of less than 1,000,000. ‘‘Not in MSA’’ consists of persons not living

in a Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Series 10, No. 203 [ Page 23

Table 9. Frequency distributions of number of school days missed because of illness or injury in the past 12 months for children

5–17 years of age, by selected characteristics: United States, 1997

Number of school days missed in past 12 months1

All children 11 days Did not go

Selected characteristic 5–17 years None 1–2 days 3–5 days 6–10 days or more to school

Number in thousands2

Total .............................. 51,635 12,975 13,915 13,956 6,183 3,024 723

Sex

Male .............................. 26,442 6,707 7,235 7,099 3,172 1,405 366

Female ............................ 25,193 6,269 6,680 6,857 3,012 1,619 357

Age

5–17 years .......................... 51,635 12,975 13,915 13,956 6,183 3,024 723

5–11 years ......................... 28,272 7,075 7,953 7,636 3,291 1,324 564

12–17 years ........................ 23,364 5,900 5,962 6,320 2,892 1,700 159

Race/ethnicity3

White, non-Hispanic .................... 34,085 7,217 9,700 9,818 4,409 1,992 468

Black, non-Hispanic ..................... 7,908 2,623 1,931 1,855 747 453 101

Other, non-Hispanic ..................... 2,443 811 635 595 192 99 22

Hispanic ............................ 7,199 2,323 1,649 1,688 836 480 132

Mexican American .................... 3,942 1,352 849 875 481 254 87

Family structure4

Mother and father ...................... 36,781 9,129 10,636 9,824 4,428 1,815 468

Mother, no father ...................... 11,674 2,854 2,561 3,258 1,436 1,067 203

Father, no mother ...................... 1,422 378 298 463 158 59 19

Neither mother nor father ................. 1,758 614 421 412 161 83 32

Parent’s education5

Less than 12 years ..................... 6,716 2,136 1,235 1,587 880 563 140

12 years ............................ 12,799 3,167 3,120 3,564 1,545 923 262

More than 12 years ..................... 30,007 7,004 9,070 8,363 3,582 1,444 288

Family income6

Less than $20,000 ..................... 11,095 2,958 2,291 2,831 1,556 1,014 218

$20,000 or more ....................... 38,520 9,488 11,173 10,649 4,484 1,906 459

$20,000–$34,999 ..................... 8,390 2,215 2,127 2,327 953 537 167

$35,000–$54,999 ..................... 10,225 2,406 2,774 3,077 1,184 651 81

$55,000–$74,999 ..................... 7,172 1,646 2,278 1,868 953 333 69

$75,000 or more ..................... 8,377 1,925 2,833 2,237 1,033 222 96

Poverty status7

Poor .............................. 8,121 2,183 1,634 2,100 1,137 754 175

Near poor ........................... 9,487 2,442 2,418 2,598 1,207 617 157

Not poor ............................ 26,018 6,007 7,908 7,292 3,142 1,269 277

Health insurance coverage8

Private ............................. 35,432 8,360 10,612 9,810 4,179 1,644 376

Medicaid/other public .................... 7,464 2,042 1,349 2,012 971 741 153

Other .............................. 1,208 367 319 241 164 113

Uninsured ........................... 7,118 2,086 1,544 1,764 844 516 190

Place of residence

Large MSA9 ......................... 23,988 6,355 6,261 6,344 2,864 1,270 365

Small MSA9 ......................... 16,575 3,989 4,686 4,406 2,030 1,037 236

Not in MSA9 ......................... 11,073 2,631 2,968 3,206 1,290 717 122

Region

Northeast ........................... 9,873 2,411 2,479 2,705 1,284 646 98

Midwest ............................ 12,990 2,962 3,963 3,498 1,560 602 152

South ............................. 18,219 4,913 4,788 4,709 2,100 1,100 349

West .............................. 10,553 2,689 2,685 3,044 1,239 675 124

4
Page 24 [ Series 10, No. 203

Table 9. Frequency distributions of number of school days missed because of illness or injury in the past 12 months for children

5–17 years of age, by selected characteristics: United States, 1997—Con.

Number of school days missed in past 12 months1

All children 11 days Did not go

Selected characteristic 5–17 years None 1–2 days 3–5 days 6–10 days or more to school

Current health status Number in thousands2

Excellent/very good/good ................. 50,538 12,820 13,771 13,805 6,005 2,648 677

Fair/poor ........................... 1,067 155 144 143 179 372 45

Sex and age

Male:

5–17 years .......................... 26,442 6,707 7,235 7,099 3,172 1,405 366

5–11 years ......................... 14,390 3,588 4,159 3,752 1,717 651 305

12–17 years ........................ 12,052 3,119 3,076 3,347 1,455 754 61

Female:

5–17 years .......................... 25,193 6,269 6,680 6,857 3,012 1,619 357

5–11 years ......................... 13,881 3,487 3,794 3,884 1,575 674 259

12–17 years ........................ 11,312 2,782 2,886 2,973 1,437 945 98

1Data in this table are based on the following Sample Child (S.C.) question: ‘‘During the past 12 months, that is since [12-month ref. date], about how many days did [S.C.name] miss school because

of illness or injury?’’ See appendix II for more detailed definitions of selected terms used in this report.

2Unknowns for the variable of interest are not shown in the frequency distributions. They are, however, included in the ‘‘All children’’ column. Hence, frequencies may not sum to their respective totals.

Additionally, numbers may not add to totals because of rounding.

3‘‘Other, non-Hispanic’’ includes non-Hispanic children whose race was identified as American Indian, Alaska Native, Asian, or Pacific Islander. Children of Hispanic origin may be of any race.

4Mother and father can include biological, adoptive, step, in-law, or foster relationships. Legal guardians are classified in ‘‘Neither mother nor father.’’

5Parent’s education is the education level of the parent with the higher level of education.

6‘‘Less than $20,000’’ and ‘‘$20,000 or more’’ include both respondents reporting specific dollar amounts and respondents reporting that their incomes were within those categories (see appendix I).

The indented categories include only those respondents who reported specific dollar amounts. Children with unknown family income are not shown.

7Poverty status is based on family income and family size using the U.S. Census Bureau’s poverty thresholds. ‘‘Poor’’ children are in families defined as below the poverty threshold. ‘‘Near poor’’

children are in families with incomes of 100% to less than 200% of the poverty threshold. ‘‘Not poor’’ children are in families with incomes of 200% of the poverty threshold or greater.

8Private health insurance may be obtained through the workplace or purchased directly. Among children under 18 years of age, ‘‘Medicaid/other public’’ includes those with Medicaid or other public

health insurance coverage (e.g., most state-sponsored coverage). ‘‘Other coverage’’ includes Medicare, military health insurance coverage, and/or another form of government-sponsored health

insurance coverage. Children with only Indian Health Service coverage are considered uninsured in this table.

9MSA is Metropolitan Statistical Area. Large MSAs have a population size of 1,000,000 or more; small MSAs have a population size of less than 1,000,000. ‘‘Not in MSA’’ consists of persons not living

in a Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Series 10, No. 203 [ Page 25

Table 10. Percent distributions (with standard error) of number of school days missed because of illness or injury in the past 12 months

for children 5–17 years of age, by selected characteristics: United States, 1997

Number of school days missed in past 12 months1

All children 11 days Did not

Selected characteristic 5–17 years None 1–2 days 3–5 days 6–10 days or more go to school

Percent distribution2 (standard error)

Total ........................... 100.0 (0.00) 25.6 (0.52) 27.4 (0.53) 27.5 (0.55) 12.2 (0.39) 6.0 (0.27) 1.4 (0.15)

Sex

Male ........................... 100.0 (0.00) 25.8 (0.70) 27.8 (0.77) 27.3 (0.72) 12.2 (0.55) 5.4 (0.36) 1.4 (0.20)

Female ......................... 100.0 (0.00) 25.3 (0.77) 26.9 (0.76) 27.7 (0.78) 12.1 (0.57) 6.5 (0.41) 1.4 (0.19)

Age

5–17 years ....................... 100.0 (0.00) 25.6 (0.52) 27.4 (0.53) 27.5 (0.55) 12.2 (0.39) 6.0 (0.27) 1.4 (0.15)

5–11 years ...................... 100.0 (0.00) 25.4 (0.68) 28.6 (0.79) 27.4 (0.82) 11.8 (0.53) 4.8 (0.35) 2.0 (0.22)

12–17 years ..................... 100.0 (0.00) 25.7 (0.80) 26.0 (0.76) 27.6 (0.78) 12.6 (0.57) 7.4 (0.42) 0.7 (0.16)

Race/ethnicity3

White, non-Hispanic ................. 100.0 (0.00) 21.5 (0.63) 28.9 (0.71) 29.2 (0.67) 13.1 (0.54) 5.9 (0.32) 1.4 (0.19)

Black, non-Hispanic .................. 100.0 (0.00) 34.0 (1.50) 25.0 (1.34) 24.1 (1.46) 9.7 (0.99) 5.9 (0.78) 1.3 (0.32)

Other, non-Hispanic .................. 100.0 (0.00) 34.5 (2.96) 27.0 (2.56) 25.3 (2.86) 8.2 (1.56) 4.2 (1.04) *0.9 (0.45)

Hispanic ......................... 100.0 (0.00) 32.7 (1.13) 23.2 (1.06) 23.7 (0.97) 11.8 (0.79) 6.7 (0.61) 1.9 (0.32)

Mexican American ................. 100.0 (0.00) 34.7 (1.55) 21.8 (1.37) 22.5 (1.25) 12.3 (1.08) 6.5 (0.89) 2.2 (0.49)

Family structure4

Mother and father ................... 100.0 (0.00) 25.1 (0.63) 29.3 (0.68) 27.1 (0.66) 12.2 (0.47) 5.0 (0.29) 1.3 (0.17)

Mother, no father ................... 100.0 (0.00) 25.1 (1.05) 22.5 (1.02) 28.6 (1.14) 12.6 (0.81) 9.4 (0.74) 1.8 (0.31)

Father, no mother ................... 100.0 (0.00) 27.5 (2.57) 21.7 (2.30) 33.7 (2.79) 11.5 (2.04) 4.3 (1.07) *1.4 (0.82)

Neither mother nor father .............. 100.0 (0.00) 35.7 (3.04) 24.4 (2.75) 23.9 (2.33) 9.4 (1.51) 4.8 (1.17) *1.9 (0.83)

Parent’s education5

Less than 12 years .................. 100.0 (0.00) 32.7 (1.48) 18.9 (1.25) 24.3 (1.34) 13.5 (1.05) 8.6 (0.88) 2.1 (0.44)

12 years ......................... 100.0 (0.00) 25.2 (1.02) 24.8 (1.08) 28.3 (1.01) 12.3 (0.82) 7.3 (0.62) 2.1 (0.35)

More than 12 years .................. 100.0 (0.00) 23.5 (0.71) 30.5 (0.73) 28.1 (0.75) 12.0 (0.51) 4.9 (0.32) 1.0 (0.15)

Family income6

Less than $20,000 .................. 100.0 (0.00) 27.2 (1.14) 21.1 (1.08) 26.1 (1.11) 14.3 (0.90) 9.3 (0.66) 2.0 (0.35)

$20,000 or more .................... 100.0 (0.00) 24.9 (0.60) 29.3 (0.63) 27.9 (0.61) 11.8 (0.46) 5.0 (0.28) 1.2 (0.16)

$20,000–$34,999 .................. 100.0 (0.00) 26.6 (1.23) 25.5 (1.31) 28.0 (1.32) 11.5 (1.00) 6.4 (0.71) 2.0 (0.37)

$35,000–$54,999 .................. 100.0 (0.00) 23.6 (1.03) 27.3 (1.12) 30.2 (1.18) 11.6 (0.89) 6.4 (0.61) *0.8 (0.24)

$55,000–$74,999 .................. 100.0 (0.00) 23.0 (1.37) 31.9 (1.50) 26.1 (1.52) 13.3 (1.04) 4.7 (0.62) *1.0 (0.29)

$75,000 or more .................. 100.0 (0.00) 23.1 (1.31) 33.9 (1.43) 26.8 (1.32) 12.4 (1.12) 2.7 (0.44) *1.1 (0.41)

Poverty status7

Poor ........................... 100.0 (0.00) 27.3 (1.40) 20.5 (1.34) 26.3 (1.43) 14.2 (1.10) 9.5 (0.93) 2.2 (0.46)

Near poor ........................ 100.0 (0.00) 25.9 (1.16) 25.6 (1.27) 27.5 (1.16) 12.8 (0.97) 6.5 (0.67) 1.7 (0.34)

Not poor ......................... 100.0 (0.00) 23.2 (0.69) 30.5 (0.79) 28.2 (0.78) 12.1 (0.54) 4.9 (0.35) 1.1 (0.19)

Health insurance coverage8

Private .......................... 100.0 (0.00) 23.9 (0.63) 30.3 (0.66) 28.0 (0.64) 11.9 (0.44) 4.7 (0.27) 1.1 (0.15)

Medicaid/other public ................. 100.0 (0.00) 28.1 (1.38) 18.6 (1.32) 27.7 (1.52) 13.4 (1.13) 10.2 (0.92) 2.1 (0.41)

Other ........................... 100.0 (0.00) 30.4 (4.06) 26.4 (3.61) 19.9 (3.14) 13.6 (3.04) 9.4 (2.14) *0.3 (0.32)

Uninsured ........................ 100.0 (0.00) 30.0 (1.40) 22.2 (1.33) 25.4 (1.39) 12.2 (1.10) 7.4 (0.75) 2.7 (0.57)

Place of residence

Large MSA9 ...................... 100.0 (0.00) 27.1 (0.73) 26.7 (0.75) 27.0 (0.83) 12.2 (0.56) 5.4 (0.32) 1.6 (0.21)

Small MSA9 ...................... 100.0 (0.00) 24.3 (0.92) 28.6 (0.99) 26.9 (0.84) 12.4 (0.73) 6.3 (0.53) 1.4 (0.27)

Not in MSA9 ...................... 100.0 (0.00) 24.1 (1.25) 27.1 (1.18) 29.3 (1.20) 11.8 (0.84) 6.6 (0.67) 1.1 (0.31)

Region

Northeast ........................ 100.0 (0.00) 25.1 (1.15) 25.8 (1.16) 28.1 (1.20) 13.3 (0.77) 6.7 (0.55) 1.0 (0.27)

Midwest ......................... 100.0 (0.00) 23.3 (1.11) 31.1 (1.16) 27.5 (1.09) 12.2 (0.83) 4.7 (0.49) 1.2 (0.26)

South .......................... 100.0 (0.00) 27.4 (0.93) 26.7 (0.89) 26.2 (0.94) 11.7 (0.69) 6.1 (0.50) 1.9 (0.30)

West ........................... 100.0 (0.00) 25.7 (0.95) 25.7 (1.12) 29.1 (1.25) 11.9 (0.83) 6.5 (0.56) 1.2 (0.27)
Page 26 [ Series 10, No. 203

Table 10. Percent distributions (with standard error) of number of school days missed because of illness or injury in the past 12 months for

children 5–17 years of age, by selected characteristics: United States, 1997—Con.

Number of school days missed in past 12 months1

All children 11 days Did not

Selected characteristic 5–17 years None 1–2 days 3–5 days 6–10 days or more go to school

Current health status Percent distribution2 (standard error)

Excellent/very good/good .............. 100.0 (0.00) 25.8 (0.53) 27.7 (0.54) 27.8 (0.56) 12.1 (0.40) 5.3 (0.25) 1.4 (0.14)

Fair/poor ........................ 100.0 (0.00) 15.0 (3.46) 13.8 (2.72) 13.8 (2.38) 17.2 (3.41) 35.9 (3.79) *4.4 (1.62)

Sex and age

Male:

5–17 years ...................... 100.0 (0.00) 25.8 (0.70) 27.8 (0.77) 27.3 (0.72) 12.2 (0.55) 5.4 (0.36) 1.4 (0.20)

5–11 years .................... 100.0 (0.00) 25.3 (0.91) 29.3 (1.14) 26.5 (1.05) 12.1 (0.77) 4.6 (0.45) 2.2 (0.31)

12–17 years ................... 100.0 (0.00) 26.4 (1.09) 26.0 (1.14) 28.3 (1.11) 12.3 (0.79) 6.4 (0.57) *0.5 (0.22)

Female:

5–17 years ...................... 100.0 (0.00) 25.3 (0.77) 26.9 (0.76) 27.7 (0.78) 12.1 (0.57) 6.5 (0.41) 1.4 (0.19)

5–11 years .................... 100.0 (0.00) 25.5 (1.07) 27.7 (1.04) 28.4 (1.12) 11.5 (0.77) 4.9 (0.51) 1.9 (0.29)

12–17 years ................... 100.0 (0.00) 25.0 (1.10) 26.0 (1.06) 26.7 (1.16) 12.9 (0.85) 8.5 (0.66) 0.9 (0.23)

* Figure does not meet standard of reliability or precision.

1Data in this table are based on the following Sample Child (S.C.) question: ‘‘During the past 12 months, that is since [12-month ref. date], about how many days did [S.C.name] miss school because

of illness or injury?’’ See appendix II for more detailed definitions of selected terms used in this report.

2Unknowns for the variable of interest are not included in the denominators when calculating percents. Additionally, percents may not add to 100.0% because of rounding.

3‘‘Other, non-Hispanic’’ includes non-Hispanic children whose race was identified as American Indian, Alaska Native, Asian, or Pacific Islander. Children of Hispanic origin may be of any race.

4Mother and father can include biological, adoptive, step, in-law, or foster relationships. Legal guardians are classified in ‘‘Neither mother nor father.’’

5Parent’s education is the education level of the parent with the higher level of education.

6‘‘Less than $20,000’’ and ‘‘$20,000 or more’’ include both respondents reporting specific dollar amounts and respondents reporting that their incomes were within those categories (see appendix I).

The indented categories include only those respondents who reported specific dollar amounts. Children with unknown family income are not shown.

7Poverty status is based on family income and family size using the Census Bureau’s poverty thresholds. ‘‘Poor’’ children are in families defined as below the poverty threshold. ‘‘Near poor’’ children

are in families with incomes of 100% to less than 200% of the poverty threshold. ‘‘Not poor’’ children are in families with incomes of 200% of the poverty threshold or greater.

8Private health insurance may be obtained through the workplace or purchased directly. Among children under 18 years of age, ‘‘Medicaid/other public’’ includes those with Medicaid or other public

health insurance coverage (e.g., most state-sponsored coverage). ‘‘Other coverage’’ includes Medicare, military health insurance coverage, and/or another form of government-sponsored health

insurance coverage. Children with only Indian Health Service coverage are considered uninsured in this table.

9MSA is Metropolitan Statistical Area. Large MSAs have a population size of 1,000,000 or more; small MSAs have a population size of less than 1,000,000. ‘‘Not in MSA’’ consists of persons not living

in a Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Series 10, No. 203 [ Page 27

Table 11. Frequencies of having a usual source of medical care, and frequency distributions of place of usual source of medical care, for

children 17 years of age and under, by selected characteristics: United States, 1997

Place of care1

Has usual

All children source of Doctor’s Emergency Hospital Some other

Selected characteristic 0–17 years medical care Clinic office room outpatient place

Number in thousands2

Total ........................... 71,359 66,734 14,149 50,589 477 1,113 378

Sex

Male ........................... 36,534 34,102 7,240 25,844 241 581 184

Female ......................... 34,825 32,633 6,910 24,745 236 532 194

Age

0–4 years ........................ 19,724 18,911 4,490 13,953 83 271 99

5–17 years ....................... 51,635 47,824 9,659 36,636 394 842 279

5–11 years ...................... 28,272 26,645 5,296 20,542 195 471 139

12–17 years ..................... 23,364 21,178 4,363 16,095 200 370 140

Race/ethnicity3

White, non-Hispanic ................. 46,509 44,220 7,562 35,922 135 353 242

Black, non-Hispanic .................. 10,824 10,042 2,969 6,396 160 477 22

Other, non-Hispanic .................. 3,369 3,067 759 2,167 52 40 48

Hispanic ......................... 10,657 9,405 2,859 6,104 131 243 66

Mexican American ................. 5,914 5,102 1,740 3,122 60 135 43

Family structure4

Mother and father ................... 51,645 48,739 9,038 38,612 232 579 270

Mother, no father ................... 15,979 14,808 4,215 9,882 190 427 79

Father, no mother ................... 1,674 1,411 316 1,006 20 54 10

Neither mother nor father .............. 2,048 1,775 580 1,088 35 53 19

Parent’s education5

Less than 12 years .................. 9,599 8,293 3,091 4,727 147 277 48

12 years ......................... 17,514 16,217 3,843 11,815 186 290 75

More than 12 years .................. 41,744 40,088 6,587 32,674 109 479 230

Family income6

Less than $20,000 .................. 16,561 14,744 5,266 8,696 210 481 90

$20,000 or more .................... 52,144 49,591 8,465 39,973 267 591 288

$20,000–$34,999 .................. 11,656 10,596 2,691 7,407 150 254 94

$35,000–$54,999 .................. 14,009 13,374 2,474 10,568 63 178 91

$55,000–$74,999 .................. 9,880 9,589 1,340 8,123 25 73 27

$75,000 or more .................. 10,992 10,768 1,198 9,477 6 42 43

Poverty status7

Poor ........................... 12,021 10,665 4,154 5,894 194 353 70

Near poor ........................ 13,252 12,031 3,271 8,240 132 287 101

Not poor ......................... 35,437 34,256 4,906 28,768 111 306 163

Health insurance coverage8

Private .......................... 47,358 45,813 6,662 38,679 102 218 135

Medicaid/other public ................. 12,276 11,686 4,346 6,793 85 419 41

Other ........................... 1,735 1,661 639 592 38 259 132

Uninsured ........................ 9,386 7,014 2,438 4,045 248 208 70

Place of residence

Large MSA 9 ...................... 33,535 31,568 5,703 24,850 237 606 151

Small MSA9 ...................... 23,258 21,612 4,815 16,102 167 361 162

Not in MSA9 ...................... 14,566 13,554 3,631 9,636 73 147 64

Region

Northeast ........................ 13,860 13,410 1,862 11,261 73 193 18

Midwest ......................... 17,815 16,862 4,637 11,844 72 193 108

South .......................... 24,899 23,050 4,479 17,628 218 571 142

West ........................... 14,785 13,413 3,172 9,856 113 157 110
Page 28 [ Series 10, No. 203

Table 11. Frequencies of having a usual source of medical care, and frequency distributions of place of usual source of medical care, for

children 17 years of age and under, by selected characteristics: United States, 1997—Con.

Place of care1

Has usual

All children source of Doctor’s Emergency Hospital Some other

Selected characteristic 0–17 years medical care Clinic office room outpatient place

Current health status Number in thousands2

Excellent/very good/good .............. 69,883 65,396 13,731 49,778 459 1,030 370

Fair/poor ........................ 1,441 1,327 419 800 18 83 8

Sex and age

Male:

0–4 years ...................... 10,092 9,662 2,274 7,153 47 146 39

5–17 years ...................... 26,442 24,439 4,966 18,691 194 435 144

5–11 years .................... 14,390 13,547 2,801 10,324 104 238 80

12–17 years ................... 12,052 10,893 2,164 8,367 90 196 65

Female:

0–4 years ...................... 9,632 9,249 2,216 6,799 36 125 60

5–17 years ...................... 25,193 23,384 4,693 17,945 200 407 134

5–11 years .................... 13,881 13,098 2,495 10,218 90 233 59

12–17 years ................... 11,312 10,286 2,199 7,727 110 174 75

1Data in this table are based on the following Sample Child (S.C.) questions: ‘‘Is there a place that [S.C.name] USUALLY goes when [he/she] is sick or you need advice about [his/her] health?’’ ‘‘What

kind of place is it—a Clinic or health center, Doctor’s office or HMO, Hospital emergency room, Hospital outpatient department, or Some other place?’’ See appendix II for more detailed definitions of

selected terms used in this report.

2Unknowns for the variable of interest are not shown among the frequencies. They are, however, included in the ‘‘All children’’ column. Hence, frequencies may not sum to their respective totals.

Additionally, numbers may not add to totals because of rounding.

3‘‘Other, non-Hispanic’’ includes non-Hispanic children whose race was identified as American Indian, Alaska Native, Asian, or Pacific Islander. Children of Hispanic origin may be of any race.

4Mother and father can include biological, adoptive, step, in-law, or foster relationships. Legal guardians are classified in ‘‘Neither mother nor father.’’

5Parent’s education is the education level of the parent with the higher level of education.

6‘‘Less than $20,000’’ and ‘‘$20,000 or more’’ include both respondents reporting specific dollar amounts and respondents reporting that their incomes were within those categories (see appendix I).

The indented categories include only those respondents who reported specific dollar amounts. Children with unknown family income are not shown.

7Poverty status is based on family income and family size using the U.S. Census Bureau’s poverty thresholds. ‘‘Poor’’ children are in families defined as below the poverty threshold. ‘‘Near poor’’

children are in families with incomes of 100% to less than 200% of the poverty threshold. ‘‘Not poor’’ children are in families with incomes of 200% of the poverty threshold or greater.

8Private health insurance may be obtained through the workplace or purchased directly. Among children under 18 years of age, ‘‘Medicaid/other public’’ includes those with Medicaid or other public

health insurance coverage (e.g., most state-sponsored coverage). ‘‘Other coverage’’ includes Medicare, military health insurance coverage, and/or another form of government-sponsored health

insurance coverage. Children with only Indian Health Service coverage are considered uninsured in this table.

9MSA is Metropolitan Statistical Area. Large MSAs have a population size of 1,000,000 or more; small MSAs have a population size of less than 1,000,000. ‘‘Not in MSA’’ consists of persons not living

in a Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Series 10, No. 203 [ Page 29

Table 12. Percents (with standard errors) having a usual source of medical care, and percent distributions (with standard errors) of place

of usual source of medical care for children 17 years of age and under, by selected characteristics: United States, 1997

Place of care1

Has usual

All children source of Doctor’s Emergency Hospital Some other

Selected characteristic 0–17 years medical care Clinic office room outpatient place

Percent distribution2 (standard error)

Total ........................... 100.0 (0.00) 93.7 (0.23) 21.2 (0.61) 75.8 (0.61) 0.7 (0.10) 1.7 (0.17) 0.6 (0.08)

Sex

Male ........................... 100.0 (0.00) 93.6 (0.35) 21.2 (0.74) 75.8 (0.74) 0.7 (0.14) 1.7 (0.20) 0.5 (0.10)

Female ......................... 100.0 (0.00) 93.8 (0.33) 21.2 (0.75) 75.9 (0.77) 0.7 (0.12) 1.6 (0.23) 0.6 (0.12)

Age

0–4 years ........................ 100.0 (0.00) 96.2 (0.38) 23.8 (0.96) 73.8 (0.98) 0.4 (0.10) 1.4 (0.21) 0.5 (0.14)

5–17 years ....................... 100.0 (0.00) 92.8 (0.30) 20.2 (0.68) 76.6 (0.67) 0.8 (0.13) 1.8 (0.21) 0.6 (0.09)

5–11 years ...................... 100.0 (0.00) 94.4 (0.38) 19.9 (0.81) 77.1 (0.82) 0.7 (0.19) 1.8 (0.29) 0.5 (0.12)

12–17 years ..................... 100.0 (0.00) 90.9 (0.48) 20.6 (0.89) 76.0 (0.91) 0.9 (0.18) 1.8 (0.26) 0.7 (0.15)

Race/ethnicity3

White, non-Hispanic ................. 100.0 (0.00) 95.3 (0.26) 17.1 (0.73) 81.2 (0.72) 0.3 (0.07) 0.8 (0.14) 0.5 (0.10)

Black, non-Hispanic .................. 100.0 (0.00) 93.2 (0.61) 29.6 (1.55) 63.8 (1.69) 1.6 (0.38) 4.8 (0.74) *0.2 (0.08)

Other, non-Hispanic .................. 100.0 (0.00) 91.1 (1.45) 24.8 (2.47) 70.7 (2.51) *1.7 (0.82) *1.3 (0.55) *1.6 (0.63)

Hispanic ......................... 100.0 (0.00) 88.3 (0.71) 30.4 (1.19) 64.9 (1.27) 1.4 (0.29) 2.6 (0.41) 0.7 (0.19)

Mexican American ................. 100.0 (0.00) 86.4 (1.04) 34.1 (1.71) 61.2 (1.84) *1.2 (0.40) 2.6 (0.51) *0.8 (0.27)

Family structure4

Mother and father ................... 100.0 (0.00) 94.5 (0.25) 18.5 (0.66) 79.2 (0.66) 0.5 (0.08) 1.2 (0.15) 0.6 (0.09)

Mother, no father ................... 100.0 (0.00) 93.0 (0.54) 28.5 (1.05) 66.8 (1.07) 1.3 (0.24) 2.9 (0.44) 0.5 (0.15)

Father, no mother ................... 100.0 (0.00) 84.4 (2.32) 22.5 (2.53) 71.5 (2.70) *1.4 (0.71) 3.8 (1.12) *0.7 (0.39)

Neither mother nor father .............. 100.0 (0.00) 86.7 (1.87) 32.7 (2.83) 61.3 (2.89) *2.0 (0.86) *3.0 (1.01) *1.1 (0.86)

Parent’s education5

Less than 12 years .................. 100.0 (0.00) 86.6 (0.93) 37.3 (1.50) 57.0 (1.54) 1.8 (0.39) 3.3 (0.50) *0.6 (0.20)

12 years ......................... 100.0 (0.00) 92.6 (0.54) 23.7 (1.00) 72.9 (1.03) 1.1 (0.24) 1.8 (0.35) *0.5 (0.15)

More than 12 years .................. 100.0 (0.00) 96.2 (0.25) 16.4 (0.68) 81.5 (0.67) 0.3 (0.06) 1.2 (0.16) 0.6 (0.10)

Family income6

Less than $20,000 .................. 100.0 (0.00) 89.2 (0.65) 35.7 (1.27) 59.0 (1.36) 1.4 (0.31) 3.3 (0.41) 0.6 (0.15)

$20,000 or more .................... 100.0 (0.00) 95.2 (0.24) 17.1 (0.65) 80.6 (0.64) 0.5 (0.09) 1.2 (0.16) 0.6 (0.09)

$20,000–$34,999 .................. 100.0 (0.00) 91.0 (0.63) 25.4 (1.28) 69.9 (1.32) 1.4 (0.34) 2.4 (0.49) *0.9 (0.28)

$35,000–$54,999 .................. 100.0 (0.00) 95.5 (0.46) 18.5 (1.01) 79.0 (1.04) 0.5 (0.14) 1.3 (0.27) 0.7 (0.17)

$55,000–$74,999 .................. 100.0 (0.00) 97.1 (0.51) 14.0 (1.06) 84.7 (1.08) *0.3 (0.15) 0.8 (0.22) *0.3 (0.16)

$75,000 or more .................. 100.0 (0.00) 98.0 (0.41) 11.1 (0.99) 88.0 (0.98) *0.1 (0.05) *0.4 (0.16) *0.4 (0.15)

Poverty status7

Poor ........................... 100.0 (0.00) 88.8 (0.82) 39.0 (1.52) 55.3 (1.63) 1.8 (0.43) 3.3 (0.59) *0.7 (0.21)

Near poor ........................ 100.0 (0.00) 90.9 (0.60) 27.2 (1.35) 68.5 (1.36) 1.1 (0.27) 2.4 (0.37) 0.8 (0.21)

Not poor ......................... 100.0 (0.00) 96.7 (0.25) 14.3 (0.64) 84.0 (0.64) 0.3 (0.08) 0.9 (0.13) 0.5 (0.09)

Health insurance coverage8

Private .......................... 100.0 (0.00) 96.9 (0.22) 14.5 (0.65) 84.5 (0.65) 0.2 (0.06) 0.5 (0.08) 0.3 (0.06)

Medicaid/other public ................. 100.0 (0.00) 95.5 (0.48) 37.2 (1.40) 58.1 (1.47) 0.7 (0.21) 3.6 (0.58) *0.4 (0.14)

Other ........................... 100.0 (0.00) 95.7 (1.27) 38.5 (4.16) 35.7 (3.29) *2.3 (1.00) 15.6 (2.97) 8.0 (2.05)

Uninsured ........................ 100.0 (0.00) 75.0 (1.23) 34.8 (1.67) 57.7 (1.76) 3.5 (0.67) 3.0 (0.50) *1.0 (0.36)

Place of residence

Large MSA9 ...................... 100.0 (0.00) 94.5 (0.31) 18.1 (0.67) 78.8 (0.75) 0.8 (0.16) 1.9 (0.25) 0.5 (0.10)

Small MSA9 ...................... 100.0 (0.00) 93.1 (0.43) 22.3 (1.23) 74.5 (1.19) 0.8 (0.16) 1.7 (0.34) 0.8 (0.14)

Not in MSA9 ...................... 100.0 (0.00) 93.1 (0.56) 26.8 (1.68) 71.1 (1.67) *0.5 (0.16) 1.1 (0.22) *0.5 (0.20)

Region

Northeast ........................ 100.0 (0.00) 96.9 (0.41) 13.9 (0.95) 84.0 (1.14) 0.5 (0.15) 1.4 (0.36) *0.1 (0.06)

Midwest ......................... 100.0 (0.00) 95.0 (0.45) 27.5 (1.64) 70.3 (1.59) *0.4 (0.14) 1.1 (0.25) 0.6 (0.15)

South .......................... 100.0 (0.00) 92.8 (0.40) 19.4 (0.96) 76.5 (0.96) 0.9 (0.18) 2.5 (0.37) 0.6 (0.15)

West ........................... 100.0 (0.00) 90.9 (0.62) 23.7 (1.00) 73.5 (0.98) *0.8 (0.29) 1.2 (0.24) 0.8 (0.21)
Page 30 [ Series 10, No. 203

Table 12. Percents (with standard errors) having a usual source of medical care, and percent distributions (with standard errors) of place of

usual source of medical care for children 17 years of age and under, by selected characteristics: United States, 1997—Con.

Place of care1

Has usual

All children source of Doctor’s Emergency Hospital Some other

Selected characteristic 0–17 years medical care Clinic office room outpatient place

Current health status Percent distribution2 (standard error)

Excellent/very good/good .............. 100.0 (0.00) 93.8 (0.24) 21.0 (0.61) 76.1 (0.61) 0.7 (0.10) 1.6 (0.16) 0.6 (0.08)

Fair/poor ........................ 100.0 (0.00) 92.9 (1.56) 31.5 (3.26) 60.3 (3.50) *1.3 (0.62) *6.2 (1.99) *0.6 (0.43)

Sex and age

Male:

0–4 years ...................... 100.0 (0.00) 96.3 (0.57) 23.5 (1.31) 74.1 (1.35) 0.5 (0.15) 1.5 (0.34) *0.4 (0.15)

5–17 years ...................... 100.0 (0.00) 92.6 (0.43) 20.3 (0.81) 76.5 (0.82) 0.8 (0.18) 1.8 (0.23) 0.6 (0.13)

5–11 years .................... 100.0 (0.00) 94.3 (0.52) 20.7 (1.08) 76.2 (1.12) *0.8 (0.30) 1.8 (0.31) *0.6 (0.19)

12–17 years ................... 100.0 (0.00) 90.7 (0.69) 19.9 (1.12) 76.9 (1.14) 0.8 (0.21) 1.8 (0.31) 0.6 (0.17)

Female:

0–4 years ...................... 100.0 (0.00) 96.1 (0.48) 24.0 (1.26) 73.6 (1.31) *0.4 (0.14) 1.4 (0.22) *0.6 (0.23)

5–17 years ...................... 100.0 (0.00) 92.9 (0.42) 20.1 (0.86) 76.8 (0.88) 0.9 (0.16) 1.7 (0.31) 0.6 (0.14)

5–11 years .................... 100.0 (0.00) 94.5 (0.54) 19.0 (1.04) 78.0 (1.12) *0.7 (0.21) 1.8 (0.45) *0.5 (0.17)

12–17 years ................... 100.0 (0.00) 91.0 (0.68) 21.4 (1.23) 75.1 (1.31) 1.1 (0.25) 1.7 (0.40) *0.7 (0.24)

* Figure does not meet standard of reliability or precision.

1Data in this table are based on the following Sample Child (S.C.) questions: ‘‘Is there a place that [S.C.name] USUALLY goes when [he/she] is sick or you need advice about [his/her] health?’’ ‘‘What

kind of place is it—a Clinic or health center, Doctor’s office or HMO, Hospital emergency room, Hospital outpatient department or Some other place?’’ See appendix II for more detailed definitions of

selected terms used in this report.

2Unknowns for the variable of interest are not included in the denominators when calculating percents. Additionally, percents may not add to 100.0% because of rounding.

3‘‘Other, non-Hispanic’’ includes non-Hispanic children whose race was identified as American Indian, Alaska Native, Asian, or Pacific Islander. Children of Hispanic origin may be of any race.

4Mother and father can include biological, adoptive, step, in-law, or foster relationships. Legal guardians are classified in ‘‘Neither mother nor father.’’

5Parent’s education is the education level of the parent with the higher level of education.

6‘‘Less than $20,000’’ and ‘‘$20,000 or more’’ include both respondents reporting specific dollar amounts and respondents reporting that their incomes were within those categories (see appendix I).

The indented categories include only those respondents who reported specific dollar amounts. Children with unknown family income are not shown.

7Poverty status is based on family income and family size using the U.S. Census Bureau’s poverty thresholds. ‘‘Poor’’ children are in families defined as below the poverty threshold. ‘‘Near poor’’

children are in families with incomes of 100% to less than 200% of the poverty threshold. ‘‘Not poor’’ children are in families with incomes of 200% of the poverty threshold or greater.

8Private health insurance may be obtained through the workplace or purchased directly. Among children under 18 years of age, ‘‘Medicaid/other public’’ includes those with Medicaid or other public

health insurance coverage (e.g., most state-sponsored coverage). ‘‘Other Coverage’’ includes Medicare, military health insurance coverage, and/or another form of government-sponsored health

insurance coverage. Children with only Indian Health Service coverage are considered uninsured in this table.

9MSA is Metropolitan Statistical Area. Large MSAs have a population size of 1,000,000 or more; small MSAs have a population size of less than 1,000,000. ‘‘Not in MSA’’ consists of persons not living

in a Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Series 10, No. 203 [ Page 31

Table 13. Frequency distributions of length of time since last contact with a health care professional for children 17 years of age and under,

by selected characteristics: United States, 1997

Time since last contact with a health care professional1

More than 6 months More than 1 year

All children 6 months but not more but not more More than

Selected characteristic 0–17 years or less than 1 year than 3 years 3 years2

Number in thousands3

Total .............................. 71,359 50,284 12,807 6,364 1,320

Sex

Male .............................. 36,534 25,679 6,779 3,091 647

Female ............................ 34,825 24,605 6,028 3,273 673

Age

0–4 years ........................... 19,724 17,023 1,910 566 88

5–17 years .......................... 51,635 33,261 10,897 5,798 1,232

5–11 years ......................... 28,272 19,061 5,594 2,939 433

12–17 years ........................ 23,364 14,200 5,303 2,859 799

Race/ethnicity4

White, non-Hispanic .................... 46,509 33,743 8,153 3,752 591

Black, non-Hispanic ..................... 10,824 7,413 2,037 1,006 198

Other, non-Hispanic ..................... 3,369 2,168 642 401 112

Hispanic ............................ 10,657 6,960 1,976 1,206 420

Mexican American .................... 5,914 3,620 1,146 768 299

Family structure5

Mother and father ...................... 51,645 36,695 9,282 4,384 947

Mother, no father ...................... 15,979 11,281 2,756 1,483 258

Father, no mother ...................... 1,674 947 381 278 57

Neither mother nor father ................. 2,048 1,351 389 218 58

Parent’s education6

Less than 12 years ..................... 9,599 6,172 1,654 1,254 421

12 years ............................ 17,514 11,735 3,432 1,868 353

More than 12 years ..................... 41,744 30,868 7,245 3,006 463

Family income7

Less than $20,000 ..................... 16,561 11,583 2,630 1,686 500

$20,000 or more ....................... 52,144 36,971 9,732 4,465 781

$20,000–$34,999 ..................... 11,656 7,791 2,166 1,293 363

$35,000–$54,999 ..................... 14,009 9,625 2,776 1,341 227

$55,000–$74,999 ..................... 9,880 7,181 1,908 710 56

$75,000 or more ..................... 10,992 8,421 1,839 645 83

Poverty status8

Poor .............................. 12,021 8,153 2,077 1,256 430

Near poor ........................... 13,252 8,950 2,355 1,512 375

Not poor ............................ 35,437 25,743 6,567 2,704 344

Health insurance9

Private ............................. 47,358 34,128 8,781 3,652 520

Medicaid/other public .................... 12,276 9,711 1,559 730 152

Other .............................. 1,735 1,264 335 116 10

Uninsured ........................... 9,386 4,828 2,024 1,786 617

Place of residence

Large MSA10 ......................... 33,535 24,283 5,778 2,536 547

Small MSA10 ......................... 23,258 16,400 4,050 2,244 444

Not in MSA10 ......................... 14,566 9,601 2,979 1,584 329

Region

Northeast ........................... 13,860 10,837 2,137 646 113

Midwest ............................ 17,815 12,744 3,140 1,596 208

South ............................. 24,899 16,668 4,844 2,665 531

West .............................. 14,785 10,035 2,686 1,457 468
Page 32 [ Series 10, No. 203

Table 13. Frequency distributions of length of time since last contact with a health care professional for children 17 years of age and under,

by selected characteristics: United States, 1997—Con.

Time since last contact with a health care professional1

More than 6 months More than 1 year

All children 6 months but not more but not more More than

Selected characteristic 0–17 years or less than 1 year than 3 years 3 years2

Current health status Number in thousands3

Excellent/very good/good ................. 69,883 49,045 12,681 6,312 1,304

Fair/poor ........................... 1,441 1,228 126 49 16

Sex and age

Male:

0–4 years ......................... 10,092 8,714 1,002 243 51

5–17 years ......................... 26,442 16,965 5,777 2,847 596

5–11 years ....................... 14,390 9,708 2,880 1,482 190

12–17 years ...................... 12,052 7,257 2,898 1,366 406

Female:

0–4 years ......................... 9,632 8,309 908 322 37

5–17 years ......................... 25,193 16,296 5,120 2,951 636

5–11 years ....................... 13,881 9,353 2,714 1,457 243

12–17 years ...................... 11,312 6,942 2,406 1,493 393

1The data in this table are based on the following Sample Child (S.C.) question: ‘‘About how long has it been since anyone in the family last saw or talked to a doctor or other health care professional

about [S.C.name]’s health? Include doctors seen while [he/she] was a patient in a hospital.’’ See appendix II for more detailed definitions of selected terms used in this report.

2This category includes a small number of children who have never seen a doctor.

3Unknowns for the variable of interest are not shown in the frequency distributions. They are, however, included in the ‘‘All children’’ column. Hence, frequencies may not sum to their respective totals.

Additionally, numbers may not add to totals because of rounding.

4‘‘Other, non-Hispanic’’ includes non-Hispanic children whose race was identified as American Indian, Alaska Native, Asian, or Pacific Islander. Children of Hispanic origin may be of any race.

5Mother and father can include biological, adoptive, step, in-law, or foster relationships. Legal guardians are classified in ‘‘Neither mother nor father.’’

6Parent’s education is the education level of the parent with the higher level of education.

7‘‘Less than $20,000’’ and ‘‘$20,000 or more’’ include both respondents reporting specific dollar amounts and respondents reporting that their incomes were within those categories (see appendix I).

The indented categories include only those respondents who reported specific dollar amounts. Children with unknown family income are not shown.

8Poverty status is based on family income and family size using the U.S. Census Bureau’s poverty thresholds. ‘‘Poor’’ children are in families defined as below the poverty threshold. ‘‘Near poor’’

children are in families with incomes of 100% to less than 200% of the poverty threshold. ‘‘Not poor’’ children are in families with incomes of 200% of the poverty threshold or greater.

9Private health insurance may be obtained through the workplace or purchased directly. Among children under 18 years of age, ‘‘Medicaid/other public’’ includes those with Medicaid or other public

health insurance coverage (e.g., most state-sponsored coverage). ‘‘Other coverage’’ includes Medicare, military health insurance coverage, and/or another form of government-sponsored health

insurance coverage. Children with only Indian Health Service coverage are considered uninsured in this table.

10MSA is Metropolitan Statistical Area. Large MSAs have a population size of 1,000,000 or more; small MSAs have a population size of less than 1,000,000. ‘‘Not in MSA’’ consists of persons not living

in a Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Series 10, No. 203 [ Page 33

Table 14. Percent distributions (with standard errors) of length of time since last contact with a health care professional for children 17

years of age and under, by selected characteristics: United States, 1997

Time since last contact with a health care professional1

More than 6 months More than 1 year

All children 6 months but not more but not more More than

Selected characteristic 0–17 years or less than 1 year than 3 years 3 years2

Percent distribution3 (standard error)

Total ........................... 100.0 (0.00) 71.0 (0.47) 18.1 (0.41) 9.0 (0.28) 1.9 (0.14)

Sex

Male ........................... 100.0 (0.00) 70.9 (0.61) 18.7 (0.57) 8.5 (0.38) 1.8 (0.18)

Female ......................... 100.0 (0.00) 71.2 (0.69) 17.4 (0.55) 9.5 (0.42) 1.9 (0.21)

Age

0–4 years ........................ 100.0 (0.00) 86.9 (0.63) 9.8 (0.58) 2.9 (0.31) 0.4 (0.11)

5–17 years ....................... 100.0 (0.00) 65.0 (0.57) 21.3 (0.49) 11.3 (0.36) 2.4 (0.18)

5–11 years ...................... 100.0 (0.00) 68.0 (0.81) 20.0 (0.66) 10.5 (0.54) 1.5 (0.21)

12–17 years ..................... 100.0 (0.00) 61.3 (0.84) 22.9 (0.72) 12.3 (0.58) 3.4 (0.32)

Race/ethnicity4

White, non-Hispanic ................. 100.0 (0.00) 73.0 (0.59) 17.6 (0.50) 8.1 (0.36) 1.3 (0.14)

Black, non-Hispanic .................. 100.0 (0.00) 69.6 (1.16) 19.1 (0.96) 9.4 (0.78) 1.9 (0.43)

Other, non-Hispanic .................. 100.0 (0.00) 65.3 (2.47) 19.3 (1.92) 12.1 (1.76) 3.4 (0.79)

Hispanic ......................... 100.0 (0.00) 65.9 (1.05) 18.7 (0.91) 11.4 (0.69) 4.0 (0.47)

Mexican American ................. 100.0 (0.00) 62.1 (1.44) 19.6 (1.23) 13.2 (0.97) 5.1 (0.80)

Family structure5

Mother and father ................... 100.0 (0.00) 71.5 (0.54) 18.1 (0.46) 8.5 (0.33) 1.8 (0.16)

Mother, no father ................... 100.0 (0.00) 71.5 (1.00) 17.5 (0.84) 9.4 (0.64) 1.6 (0.24)

Father, no mother ................... 100.0 (0.00) 56.9 (2.86) 22.9 (2.51) 16.7 (2.13) *3.4 (1.26)

Neither mother nor father .............. 100.0 (0.00) 67.0 (2.69) 19.3 (2.36) 10.8 (1.72) 2.9 (0.74)

Parent’s education6

Less than 12 years .................. 100.0 (0.00) 65.0 (1.35) 17.4 (1.07) 13.2 (0.98) 4.4 (0.60)

12 years ......................... 100.0 (0.00) 67.5 (0.95) 19.7 (0.81) 10.7 (0.62) 2.0 (0.28)

More than 12 years .................. 100.0 (0.00) 74.2 (0.60) 17.4 (0.52) 7.2 (0.34) 1.1 (0.14)

Family income7

Less than $20,000 .................. 100.0 (0.00) 70.6 (0.99) 16.0 (0.84) 10.3 (0.62) 3.0 (0.38)

$20,000 or more .................... 100.0 (0.00) 71.2 (0.53) 18.7 (0.47) 8.6 (0.31) 1.5 (0.14)

$20,000–$34,999 .................. 100.0 (0.00) 67.1 (1.22) 18.6 (1.01) 11.1 (0.81) 3.1 (0.43)

$35,000–$54,999 .................. 100.0 (0.00) 68.9 (1.02) 19.9 (0.88) 9.6 (0.67) 1.6 (0.27)

$55,000–$74,999 .................. 100.0 (0.00) 72.9 (1.35) 19.4 (1.17) 7.2 (0.76) *0.6 (0.19)

$75,000 or more .................. 100.0 (0.00) 76.6 (1.10) 16.7 (1.04) 5.9 (0.62) 0.8 (0.23)

Poverty status8

Poor ........................... 100.0 (0.00) 68.4 (1.30) 17.4 (1.08) 10.5 (0.75) 3.6 (0.52)

Near poor ........................ 100.0 (0.00) 67.8 (1.22) 17.9 (0.86) 11.5 (0.86) 2.8 (0.38)

Not poor ......................... 100.0 (0.00) 72.8 (0.66) 18.6 (0.61) 7.6 (0.35) 1.0 (0.12)

Health insurance9

Private .......................... 100.0 (0.00) 72.5 (0.54) 18.7 (0.49) 7.8 (0.31) 1.1 (0.12)

Medicaid/other public ................. 100.0 (0.00) 79.9 (1.03) 12.8 (0.82) 6.0 (0.62) 1.3 (0.30)

Other ........................... 100.0 (0.00) 73.3 (2.88) 19.4 (2.52) 6.7 (1.59) *0.6 (0.31)

Uninsured ........................ 100.0 (0.00) 52.2 (1.33) 21.9 (1.11) 19.3 (1.11) 6.7 (0.72)

Place of residence

Large MSA10 ...................... 100.0 (0.00) 73.3 (0.64) 17.4 (0.62) 7.7 (0.34) 1.6 (0.19)

Small MSA10 ...................... 100.0 (0.00) 70.9 (0.87) 17.5 (0.70) 9.7 (0.55) 1.9 (0.24)

Not in MSA10 ...................... 100.0 (0.00) 66.2 (1.16) 20.6 (0.95) 10.9 (0.72) 2.3 (0.33)

Region

Northeast ........................ 100.0 (0.00) 78.9 (0.91) 15.6 (0.83) 4.7 (0.44) 0.8 (0.21)

Midwest ......................... 100.0 (0.00) 72.0 (0.92) 17.8 (0.79) 9.0 (0.55) 1.2 (0.22)

South .......................... 100.0 (0.00) 67.5 (0.85) 19.6 (0.76) 10.8 (0.51) 2.1 (0.24)

West ........................... 100.0 (0.00) 68.5 (1.00) 18.3 (0.89) 10.0 (0.67) 3.2 (0.40)
Page 34 [ Series 10, No. 203

Table 14. Percent distributions (with standard errors) of length of time since last contact with a health care professional for children 17

years of age and under, by selected characteristics: United States, 1997—Con.

Time since last contact with a health care professional1

More than 6 months More than 1 year

All children 6 months but not more but not more More than

Selected characteristic 0–17 years or less than 1 year than 3 years 3 years2

Current health status Percent distribution3 (standard error)

Excellent/very good/good .............. 100.0 (0.00) 70.7 (0.48) 18.3 (0.42) 9.1 (0.29) 1.9 (0.14)

Fair/poor ........................ 100.0 (0.00) 86.5 (2.11) 8.9 (1.86) 3.4 (1.00) *1.1 (0.63)

Sex and age

Male:

0–4 years ...................... 100.0 (0.00) 87.1 (0.91) 10.0 (0.83) 2.4 (0.43) *0.5 (0.17)

5–17 years ...................... 100.0 (0.00) 64.8 (0.75) 22.1 (0.70) 10.9 (0.50) 2.3 (0.23)

5–11 years .................... 100.0 (0.00) 68.1 (1.05) 20.2 (0.91) 10.4 (0.72) 1.3 (0.26)

12–17 years ................... 100.0 (0.00) 60.8 (1.13) 24.3 (1.07) 11.5 (0.72) 3.4 (0.42)

Female:

0–4 years ...................... 100.0 (0.00) 86.8 (0.91) 9.5 (0.80) 3.4 (0.46) *0.4 (0.14)

5–17 years ...................... 100.0 (0.00) 65.2 (0.83) 20.5 (0.69) 11.8 (0.53) 2.5 (0.28)

5–11 years .................... 100.0 (0.00) 67.9 (1.13) 19.7 (0.98) 10.6 (0.71) 1.8 (0.32)

12–17 years ................... 100.0 (0.00) 61.8 (1.24) 21.4 (1.06) 13.3 (0.84) 3.5 (0.47)

* Figure does not meet standard of reliability or precision.

1Data in this table are based on the following Sample Child (S.C.) question: ‘‘About how long has it been since anyone in the family last saw or talked to a doctor or other health care professional

about [S.C.name]’s health? Include doctors seen while [he/she] was a patient in a hospital.’’ See appendix II for more detailed definitions of selected terms used in this report.

2This category includes a small number of children who have never seen a doctor.

3Unknowns for the variable of interest are not included in the denominators when calculating percents. Additionally, percents may not add to 100.0% because of rounding.

4‘‘Other, non-Hispanic’’ includes non-Hispanic children whose race was identified as American Indian, Alaska Native, Asian, or Pacific Islander. Children of Hispanic origin may be of any race.

5Mother and father can include biological, adoptive, step, in-law, or foster relationships. Legal guardians are classified in ‘‘Neither mother nor father.’’

6Parent’s education is the education level of the parent with the higher level of education.

7‘‘Less than $20,000’’ and ‘‘$20,000 or more’’ include both respondents reporting specific dollar amounts and respondents reporting that their incomes were within those categories (see appendix I).

The indented categories include only those respondents who reported specific dollar amounts. Children with unknown family income are not shown.

8Poverty status is based on family income and family size using the U.S. Census Bureau’s poverty thresholds. ‘‘Poor’’ children are in families defined as below the poverty threshold. ‘‘Near poor’’

children are in families with incomes of 100% to less than 200% of the poverty threshold. ‘‘Not poor’’ children are in families with incomes of 200% of the poverty threshold or greater.

9Private health insurance may be obtained through the workplace or purchased directly. Among children under 18 years of age, ‘‘Medicaid/other public’’ includes those with Medicaid or other public

health insurance coverage (e.g., most state-sponsored coverage). ‘‘Other coverage’’ includes Medicare, military health insurance coverage, and/or another form of government-sponsored health

insurance coverage. Children with only Indian Health Service coverage are considered uninsured in this table.

10MSA is Metropolitan Statistical Area. Large MSAs have a population size of 1,000,000 or more; small MSAs have a population size of less than 1,000,000. ‘‘Not in MSA’’ consists of persons not living

in a Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Series 10, No. 203 [ Page 35

Table 15. Frequencies of selected health care risk factors for children 17 years of age and under, by selected characteristics:

United States, 1997

Selected health care risk factor1

2 or more

visits to ER2

All children Uninsured for Unmet medical Delayed care No usual in past

Selected characteristic 0–17 years health care need due to cost source of care 12 months

Number in thousands3

Total ........................... 71,359 9,386 1,541 2,724 4,459 5,050

Sex

Male ........................... 36,534 4,742 707 1,275 2,312 2,651

Female ......................... 34,825 4,644 834 1,449 2,147 2,399

Age

0–4 years ........................ 19,724 2,268 311 602 745 1,941

5–17 years ....................... 51,635 7,118 1,229 2,122 3,714 3,109

5–11 years ...................... 28,272 3,771 670 1,168 1,585 1,761

12–17 years ..................... 23,364 3,347 559 954 2,129 1,348

Race/ethnicity4

White, non-Hispanic ................. 46,509 4,643 860 1,808 2,182 2,887

Black, non-Hispanic .................. 10,824 1,444 289 325 736 995

Other, non-Hispanic .................. 3,369 558 34 77 299 226

Hispanic ......................... 10,657 2,741 358 515 1,243 941

Mexican American ................. 5,914 1,797 204 305 804 457

Family structure5

Mother and father ................... 51,645 6,322 882 1,800 2,818 3,048

Mother, no father ................... 15,979 2,241 618 831 1,109 1,720

Father, no mother ................... 1,674 378 21 62 261 122

Neither mother nor father .............. 2,048 445 18 31 272 160

Parent’s education6

Less than 12 years .................. 9,599 2,730 317 364 1,281 1,049

12 years ......................... 17,514 2,970 564 852 1,291 1,392

More than 12 years .................. 41,744 3,136 640 1,471 1,599 2,426

Family income7

Less than $20,000 .................. 16,561 3,636 803 1,005 1,791 1,927

$20,000 or more .................... 52,144 5,246 707 1,653 2,519 2,944

$20,000–$34,999 .................. 11,656 2,601 314 733 1,046 852

$35,000–$54,999 .................. 14,009 1,357 247 510 636 889

$55,000–$74,999 .................. 9,880 349 86 195 289 479

$75,000 or more .................. 10,992 271 43 102 221 430

Poverty status8

Poor ........................... 12,021 2,555 611 713 1,340 1,373

Near poor ........................ 13,252 2,990 406 900 1,209 1,132

Not poor ......................... 35,437 2,094 411 837 1,172 1,856

Health insurance coverage9

Private .......................... 47,358 . . . 442 1,103 1,482 2,452

Medicaid/other public ................. 12,276 . . . 244 337 554 1,590

Other ........................... 1,735 . . . 15 49 74 238

Uninsured ........................ 9,386 9,386 830 1,215 2,337 719

Place of residence

Large MSA10 ...................... 33,535 4,030 637 1,083 1,853 2,371

Small MSA10 ...................... 23,258 2,930 474 938 1,606 1,695

Not in MSA10 ...................... 14,566 2,426 430 704 1,000 984

Region

Northeast ........................ 13,860 1,160 167 355 433 853

Midwest ......................... 17,815 1,656 376 815 891 1,179

South .......................... 24,899 4,246 640 989 1,791 1,968

West ........................... 14,785 2,324 358 565 1,345 1,050
Page 36 [ Series 10, No. 203

Table 15. Frequencies of selected health care risk factors for children 17 years of age and under, by selected characteristics:

United States, 1997—Con.

Selected health care risk factor1

2 or more

visits to ER2

All children Uninsured for Unmet medical Delayed care No usual in past

Selected characteristic 0–17 years health care need due to cost source of care 12 months

Current health status Number in thousands3

Excellent/very good/good .............. 69,883 9,129 1,400 2,553 4,355 4,644

Fair/poor ........................ 1,441 247 141 171 101 403

Sex and age

Male:

0–4 years ...................... 10,092 1,139 121 261 373 1,017

5–17 years ...................... 26,442 3,604 585 1,014 1,939 1,634

5–11 years .................... 14,390 1,898 273 531 826 920

12–17 years ................... 12,052 1,706 312 483 1,113 714

Female:

0–4 years ...................... 9,632 1,129 190 341 372 924

5–17 years ...................... 25,193 3,515 644 1,108 1,775 1,475

5–11 years .................... 13,881 1,873 397 637 759 841

12–17 years ................... 11,312 1,641 247 471 1,016 634

. . . Category not applicable.

1The data in this table are based on the following questions: ‘‘[Are you/Is anyone] covered by health insurance or some other kind of health care plan?’’ ‘‘DURING THE PAST 12 MONTHS, was there

any time when [you/someone in the family] needed medical care but did not get it because [you/the family] couldn’t afford it?’’ ‘‘DURING THE PAST 12 MONTHS, [have/has] [you/anyone in the family]

delayed seeking medical care because of worry about the cost?’’ ‘‘Is there a place that [subject’s name] USUALLY goes when [he/she] is sick or you need advice about [his/her] health?’’ ‘‘DURING

THE PAST 12 MONTHS, how many times has [subject’s name] gone to a hospital emergency room about [his/her] health? (This includes emergency room visits that resulted in a hospital admission.)’’

See appendix II for more detailed definitions of selected terms used in this report.

2ER is emergency room.

3Unknowns for the variable of interest are not shown among the frequencies. They are, however, included in the ‘‘All children’’ column. Hence, frequencies may not sum to their respective totals.

Additionally, numbers may not add to totals because of rounding.

4‘‘Other, non-Hispanic’’ includes non-Hispanic children whose race was identified as American Indian, Alaska Native, Asian, or Pacific Islander. Children of Hispanic origin may be of any race.

5Mother and father can include biological, adoptive, step, in-law, or foster relationships. Legal guardians are classified in ‘‘Neither mother nor father.’’

6Parent’s education is the education level of the parent with the higher level of education.

7‘‘Less than $20,000’’ and ‘‘$20,000 or more’’ include both respondents reporting specific dollar amounts and respondents reporting that their incomes were within those categories (see appendix I).

The indented categories include only those respondents who reported specific dollar amounts. Children with unknown family income are not shown.

8Poverty status is based on family income and family size using the Census Bureau’s poverty thresholds. ‘‘Poor’’ children are in families defined as below the poverty threshold. ‘‘Near poor’’ children

are in families with incomes of 100% to less than 200% of the poverty threshold. ‘‘Not poor’’ children are in families with incomes of 200% of the poverty threshold or greater.

9Private health insurance may be obtained through the workplace or purchased directly. Among children under 18 years of age, ‘‘Medicaid/other public’’ includes those with Medicaid or other public

health insurance coverage (e.g., most state-sponsored coverage). ‘‘Other coverage’’ includes Medicare, military health insurance coverage, and/or another form of government-sponsored health

insurance coverage. Children with only Indian Health Service coverage are considered uninsured in this table.

10MSA is Metropolitan Statistical Area. Large MSAs have a population size of 1,000,000 or more; small MSAs have a population size of less than 1,000,000. ‘‘Not in MSA’’ consists of persons not living

in a Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Series 10, No. 203 [ Page 37

Table 16. Percents (with standard errors) of selected health care risk factors for children 17 years of age and under, by selected

characteristics: United States, 1997

Selected health care risk factor1

2 or more

visits to ER2

Uninsured for Unmet medical Delayed care No usual source in past

Selected characteristic health care need due to cost of care 12 months

Percent3 (standard error)

Total ........................... 13.2 (0.38) 2.2 (0.13) 3.8 (0.19) 6.2 (0.23) 7.1 (0.26)

Sex

Male ........................... 13.0 (0.47) 1.9 (0.18) 3.5 (0.26) 6.3 (0.35) 7.3 (0.36)

Female ......................... 13.3 (0.53) 2.4 (0.18) 4.2 (0.28) 6.2 (0.32) 6.9 (0.38)

Age

0–4 years ........................ 11.5 (0.62) 1.6 (0.21) 3.1 (0.33) 3.8 (0.37) 9.8 (0.55)

5–17 years ....................... 13.8 (0.43) 2.4 (0.15) 4.1 (0.23) 7.2 (0.30) 6.0 (0.28)

5–11 years ...................... 13.3 (0.57) 2.4 (0.22) 4.1 (0.31) 5.6 (0.38) 6.2 (0.37)

12–17 years ..................... 14.3 (0.60) 2.4 (0.21) 4.1 (0.33) 9.1 (0.48) 5.8 (0.41)

Race/ethnicity4

White, non-Hispanic ................. 10.0 (0.45) 1.8 (0.16) 3.9 (0.26) 4.7 (0.26) 6.2 (0.31)

Black, non-Hispanic .................. 13.3 (0.92) 2.7 (0.35) 3.0 (0.38) 6.8 (0.61) 9.2 (0.74)

Other, non-Hispanic .................. 16.6 (1.90) *1.0 (0.37) 2.3 (0.65) 8.9 (1.45) 6.7 (1.46)

Hispanic ......................... 25.7 (0.91) 3.4 (0.32) 4.8 (0.40) 11.7 (0.71) 8.8 (0.53)

Mexican American ................. 30.4 (1.27) 3.5 (0.44) 5.2 (0.60) 13.6 (1.04) 7.7 (0.66)

Family structure5

Mother and father ................... 12.2 (0.43) 1.7 (0.14) 3.5 (0.23) 5.5 (0.25) 5.9 (0.28)

Mother, no father ................... 14.0 (0.73) 3.9 (0.36) 5.2 (0.44) 6.9 (0.54) 10.8 (0.63)

Father, no mother ................... 22.6 (2.37) *1.2 (0.47) 3.7 (1.10) 15.6 (2.32) 7.3 (1.43)

Neither mother nor father .............. 21.7 (2.30) *0.9 (0.38) *1.5 (0.49) 13.3 (1.87) 7.8 (1.35)

Parent’s education6

Less than 12 years .................. 28.4 (1.28) 3.3 (0.43) 3.8 (0.41) 13.3 (0.93) 10.9 (0.93)

12 years ......................... 17.0 (0.77) 3.2 (0.32) 4.9 (0.43) 7.4 (0.54) 8.0 (0.52)

More than 12 years .................. 7.5 (0.34) 1.5 (0.15) 3.5 (0.25) 3.8 (0.25) 5.8 (0.32)

Family income7

Less than $20,000 .................. 22.0 (0.91) 4.8 (0.40) 6.1 (0.47) 10.8 (0.65) 11.6 (0.66)

$20,000 or more .................... 10.1 (0.39) 1.4 (0.13) 3.2 (0.22) 4.8 (0.24) 5.6 (0.28)

$20,000–$34,999 .................. 22.3 (1.05) 2.7 (0.38) 6.3 (0.58) 9.0 (0.63) 7.3 (0.64)

$35,000–$54,999 .................. 9.7 (0.71) 1.8 (0.30) 3.6 (0.46) 4.5 (0.46) 6.3 (0.52)

$55,000–$74,999 .................. 3.5 (0.55) 0.9 (0.27) 2.0 (0.40) 2.9 (0.51) 4.8 (0.56)

$75,000 or more .................. 2.5 (0.43) *0.4 (0.13) 0.9 (0.24) 2.0 (0.41) 3.9 (0.47)

Poverty status8

Poor ........................... 21.3 (1.08) 5.1 (0.50) 5.9 (0.56) 11.1 (0.82) 11.4 (0.84)

Near poor ........................ 22.6 (1.03) 3.1 (0.36) 6.8 (0.55) 9.1 (0.60) 8.5 (0.67)

Not poor ......................... 5.9 (0.36) 1.2 (0.14) 2.4 (0.22) 3.3 (0.25) 5.2 (0.31)

Health insurance coverage9

Private .......................... . . . 0.9 (0.11) 2.3 (0.20) 3.1 (0.22) 5.2 (0.27)

Medicaid/other public ................. . . . 2.0 (0.32) 2.7 (0.39) 4.5 (0.48) 13.0 (0.75)

Other ........................... . . . *0.8 (0.49) *2.8 (1.07) 4.3 (1.27) 13.7 (2.19)

Uninsured ........................ 100.0 (0.00) 8.8 (0.70) 12.9 (0.89) 24.9 (1.22) 7.7 (0.72)

Place of residence

Large MSA10 ...................... 12.0 (0.47) 1.9 (0.16) 3.2 (0.26) 5.5 (0.31) 7.1 (0.35)

Small MSA10 ...................... 12.6 (0.68) 2.0 (0.22) 4.0 (0.30) 6.9 (0.43) 7.3 (0.47)

Not in MSA10 ...................... 16.7 (1.03) 3.0 (0.37) 4.8 (0.53) 6.9 (0.56) 6.8 (0.62)

Region

Northeast ........................ 8.4 (0.73) 1.2 (0.23) 2.6 (0.35) 3.1 (0.41) 6.2 (0.46)

Midwest ......................... 9.3 (0.68) 2.1 (0.27) 4.6 (0.49) 5.0 (0.45) 6.6 (0.53)

South .......................... 17.1 (0.71) 2.6 (0.22) 4.0 (0.32) 7.2 (0.40) 7.9 (0.49)

West ........................... 15.7 (0.84) 2.4 (0.29) 3.8 (0.38) 9.1 (0.62) 7.1 (0.54)
Page 38 [ Series 10, No. 203

Table 16. Percents (with standard errors) of selected health care risk factors for children 17 years of age and under, by selected

characteristics: United States, 1997—Con.

Selected health care risk factor1

2 or more

visits to ER2

Uninsured for Unmet medical Delayed care No usual source in past

Selected characteristic health care need due to cost of care 12 months

Current health status Percent3 (standard error)

Excellent/very good/good .............. 13.1 (0.38) 2.0 (0.13) 3.7 (0.19) 6.2 (0.24) 6.6 (0.26)

Fair /poor ........................ 17.2 (2.52) 9.8 (1.90) 11.9 (2.09) 7.0 (1.55) 27.9 (3.20)

Sex and age

Male:

0–4 years ...................... 11.3 (0.80) 1.2 (0.28) 2.6 (0.40) 3.7 (0.57) 10.1 (0.78)

5–17 years ...................... 13.6 (0.55) 2.2 (0.24) 3.8 (0.32) 7.3 (0.43) 6.2 (0.37)

5–11 years .................... 13.2 (0.73) 1.9 (0.31) 3.7 (0.41) 5.7 (0.52) 6.4 (0.52)

12–17 years ................... 14.2 (0.79) 2.6 (0.35) 4.0 (0.45) 9.2 (0.69) 5.9 (0.56)

Female:

0–4 years ...................... 11.7 (0.87) 2.0 (0.33) 3.5 (0.47) 3.9 (0.48) 9.6 (0.81)

5–17 years ...................... 14.0 (0.61) 2.6 (0.22) 4.4 (0.35) 7.0 (0.42) 5.9 (0.42)

5–11 years .................... 13.5 (0.83) 2.9 (0.34) 4.6 (0.48) 5.5 (0.53) 6.1 (0.54)

12–17 years ................... 14.5 (0.93) 2.2 (0.27) 4.2 (0.48) 9.0 (0.68) 5.6 (0.60)

* Figure does not meet standard of reliability or precision.

. . . Category not applicable.

1Data in this table are based on the following questions: ‘‘[Are you/Is anyone] covered by health insurance or some other kind of health care plan?’’ ‘‘DURING THE PAST 12 MONTHS, was there any

time when [you/someone in the family] needed medical care but did not get it because [you/the family] couldn’t afford it?’’ ‘‘DURING THE PAST 12 MONTHS, [have/has] [you/anyone in the family]

delayed seeking medical care because of worry about the cost?’’ ‘‘Is there a place that [subject’s name] USUALLY goes when [he/she] is sick or you need advice about [his/her] health?’’ ‘‘DURING

THE PAST 12 MONTHS, how many times has [subject’s name] gone to a hospital emergency room about [his/her] health? (This includes emergency room visits that resulted in a hospital admission.)’’

See appendix II for more detailed definitions of selected terms used in this report.

2ER is emergency room.

3Unknowns for the variable of interest are not included in the denominators when calculating percents. Additionally, percents may not add to 100.0% because of rounding.

4‘‘Other, non-Hispanic’’ includes non-Hispanic children whose race was identified as American Indian, Alaska Native, Asian, or Pacific Islander. Children of Hispanic origin may be of any race.

5Mother and father can include biological, adoptive, step, in-law, or foster relationships. Legal guardians are classified in ‘‘Neither mother nor father.’’

6Parent’s education is the education level of the parent with the higher level of education.

7‘‘Less than $20,000’’ and ‘‘$20,000 or more’’ include both respondents reporting specific dollar amounts and respondents reporting that their incomes were within those categories (see appendix I).

The indented categories include only those respondents who reported specific dollar amounts. Children with unknown family income are not shown.

8Poverty status is based on family income and family size using the Census Bureau’s poverty thresholds. ‘‘Poor’’ children are in families defined as below the poverty threshold. ‘‘Near poor’’ children

are in families with incomes of 100% to less than 200% of the poverty threshold. ‘‘Not poor’’ children are in families with incomes of 200% of the poverty threshold or greater.

9Private health insurance may be obtained through the workplace or purchased directly. Among children under 18 years of age, ‘‘Medicaid/other public’’ includes those with Medicaid or other public

health insurance coverage (e.g., most state-sponsored coverage). ‘‘Other coverage’’ includes Medicare, military health insurance coverage, and/or another form of government-sponsored health

insurance coverage. Children with only Indian Health Service coverage are considered uninsured in this table.

10MSA is Metropolitan Statistical Area. Large MSAs have a population size of 1,000,000 or more; small MSAs have a population size of less than 1,000,000. ‘‘Not in MSA’’ consists of persons not living

in a Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Series 10, No. 203 [ Page 39

Table 17. Frequencies of unmet dental need in the past 12 months and frequency distributions of length of time since last dental contact

for children 2–17 years of age, by selected characteristics: United States, 1997

Time since last dental contact1

More than More than

6 months 1 year

All children Unmet dental 6 months but not more but not more More than

Selected characteristic 2–17 years need or less than 1 year than 3 years 3 years2

Number in thousands3

Total ........................... 63,759 3,830 33,602 12,175 6,947 10,269

Sex

Male ........................... 32,655 1,963 16,772 6,531 3,611 5,301

Female ......................... 31,104 1,867 16,829 5,644 3,336 4,968

Age

2–4 years ........................ 12,124 384 4,002 1,343 397 6,208

5–17 years ....................... 51,635 3,446 29,600 10,832 6,550 4,061

5–11 years ...................... 28,272 1,747 16,504 6,054 3,042 2,352

12–17 years ..................... 23,364 1,698 13,096 4,778 3,508 1,710

Race/ethnicity4

White, non-Hispanic ................. 41,680 2,319 24,184 7,362 3,833 5,897

Black,non-Hispanic .................. 9,753 661 4,232 2,323 1,459 1,508

Other, non-Hispanic .................. 3,048 106 1,498 580 379 559

Hispanic ......................... 9,278 745 3,688 1,911 1,276 2,305

Mexican American ................. 5,132 412 1,821 1,002 759 1,495

Family structure5

Mother and father ................... 45,674 2,446 25,340 8,388 4,321 7,237

Mother, no father ................... 14,487 1,181 6,672 2,997 2,066 2,528

Father, no mother ................... 1,637 115 750 346 272 225

Neither mother nor father .............. 1,959 88 840 444 288 278

Parent’s education6

Less than 12 years .................. 8,448 648 3,069 1,771 1,314 2,216

12 years ......................... 15,646 1,370 7,217 3,333 2,199 2,735

More than 12 years .................. 37,286 1,703 22,359 6,548 3,132 4,996

Family income7

Less than $20,000 .................. 14,421 1,398 5,700 3,122 2,144 3,240

$20,000 or more .................... 46,903 2,348 26,724 8,678 4,578 6,600

$20,000-$34,999 .................. 10,416 1,154 4,216 2,226 1,715 2,191

$35,000-$54,999 .................. 12,628 670 6,884 2,358 1,309 1,997

$55,000-$74,999 .................. 8,836 249 5,559 1,624 624 1,023

$75,000 or more .................. 9,951 114 7,183 1,378 500 853

Poverty status8

Poor ........................... 10,582 953 4,185 2,329 1,602 2,325

Near poor ........................ 11,740 1,391 4,626 2,563 1,943 2,532

Not poor ......................... 31,901 1,090 19,894 5,433 2,463 3,993

Health insurance coverage9

Private .......................... 42,846 1,641 25,383 7,950 3,637 5,500

Medicaid/other public ................. 10,213 561 4,743 2,259 1,206 1,857

Other ........................... 1,523 58 800 306 159 246

Uninsured ........................ 8,653 1,569 2,424 1,534 1,917 2,596

Place of residence

Large MSA10 ...................... 29,679 1,555 16,233 5,565 2,957 4,465

Small MSA10 ...................... 20,760 1,218 10,879 3,939 2,323 3,420

Not in MSA10 ...................... 13,321 1,057 6,490 2,671 1,667 2,384

Region

Northeast ........................ 12,307 527 7,164 2,251 1,026 1,714

Midwest ......................... 15,953 880 8,946 3,156 1,502 2,228

South .......................... 22,398 1,571 10,663 4,338 2,966 4,096

West ........................... 13,102 851 6,828 2,430 1,452 2,232
Page 40 [ Series 10, No. 203

Table 17. Frequencies of unmet dental need in the past 12 months and frequency distributions of length of time since last dental contact

for children 2–17 years of age, by selected characteristics: United States, 1997—Con.

Time since last dental contact1

More than More than

6 months 1 year

All children Unmet dental 6 months but not more but not more More than

Selected characteristic 2–17 years need or less than 1 year than 3 years 3 years2

Current health status Number in thousands3

Excellent/very good/good .............. 62,398 3,627 33,045 11,929 6,717 9,983

Fair/poor ........................ 1,330 199 550 246 230 278

Dental care affordability

Can’t afford dental care ............... 3,830 3,830 954 651 1,170 1,022

Afford dental care ................... 59,729 *– 32,639 11,524 5,777 9,239

Sex and age

Male:

2–4 years ...................... 6,213 173 2,044 717 206 3,174

5–17 years ...................... 26,442 1,790 14,729 5,813 3,405 2,127

5–11 years .................... 14,390 937 8,270 3,194 1,580 1,161

12–17 years ................... 12,052 853 6,459 2,619 1,825 966

Female:

2–4 years ...................... 5,911 211 1,958 626 191 3,034

5–17 years ...................... 25,193 1,656 14,871 5,019 3,145 1,934

5–11 years .................... 13,881 810 8,234 2,859 1,462 1,191

12–17 years ................... 11,312 846 6,637 2,160 1,683 744

* Figure does not meet standard of reliability or precision.

– Quantity zero.

1Data in this table are based on the following Sample Child (S.C.) questions: ‘‘About how long has it been since [S.C.name] last saw or talked to a dentist? Include all type of dentists, such as

orthodontists, oral surgeons, and all other dental specialists, as well as dental hygienists.’’ ‘‘During the past 12 months, was there any time when [S.C.name] needed any of the following but didn’t get it

because you couldn’t afford it: Dental care (including check-ups)?’’ See appendix II for more detailed definitions of selected terms used in this report.

2This category includes a small number of children who have never seen a dentist.

3Unknowns for the variable of interest are not shown among the frequencies. They are, however, included in the ‘‘All children’’ column. Hence, frequencies may not sum to their respective totals.

Additionally, numbers may not add to totals because of rounding.

4‘‘Other, non-Hispanic’’ includes non-Hispanic children whose race was identified as American Indian, Alaska Native, Asian, or Pacific Islander. Children of Hispanic origin may be of any race.

5Mother and father can include biological, adoptive, step, in-law, or foster relationships. Legal guardians are classified in ‘‘Neither mother nor father.’’

6Parent’s education is the education level of the parent with the higher level of education.

7‘‘Less than $20,000’’ and ‘‘$20,000 or more’’ include both respondents reporting specific dollar amounts and respondents reporting that their incomes were within those categories (see appendix I).

The indented categories include only those respondents who reported specific dollar amounts. Children with unknown family income are not shown.

8Poverty status is based on family income and family size using the U.S. Census Bureau’s poverty thresholds. ‘‘Poor’’ children are in families defined as below the poverty threshold. ‘‘Near poor’’

children are in families with incomes of 100% to less than 200% of the poverty threshold. ‘‘Not poor’’ children are in families with incomes of 200% of the poverty threshold or greater.

9Private health insurance may be obtained through the workplace or purchased directly. Among children under 18 years of age, ‘‘Medicaid/other public’’ includes those with Medicaid or other public

health insurance coverage (e.g., most state-sponsored coverage). ‘‘Other coverage’’ includes Medicare, military health insurance coverage, and/or another form of government-sponsored health

insurance coverage. Children with only Indian Health Service coverage are considered uninsured in this table.

10MSA is Metropolitan Statistical Area. Large MSAs have a population size of 1,000,000 or more; small MSAs have a population size of less than 1,000,000. ‘‘Not in MSA’’ consists of persons not living

in a Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Series 10, No. 203 [ Page 41

Table 18. Percents (with standard errors) of unmet dental need in the past 12 months and percent distributions (with standard errors) of

length of time since last dental contact for children 2–17 years of age, by selected characteristics: United States, 1997

Time since last dental contact1

More than More than

6 months 1 year

Unmet dental All children 6 months but not more but not more More than

Selected characteristic need 2–17 years or less than 1 year than 3 years 3 years2

Percent distribution3 (standard error)

Total ........................... 6.0 (0.26) 100.0 (0.00) 53.3 (0.59) 19.3 (0.46) 11.0 (0.32) 16.3 (0.41)

Sex

Male ........................... 6.0 (0.35) 100.0 (0.00) 52.1 (0.80) 20.3 (0.66) 11.2 (0.46) 16.5 (0.56)

Female ......................... 6.0 (0.39) 100.0 (0.00) 54.7 (0.80) 18.3 (0.63) 10.8 (0.46) 16.1 (0.57)

Age

2–4 years ........................ 3.2 (0.41) 100.0 (0.00) 33.5 (1.16) 11.2 (0.75) 3.3 (0.44) 52.0 (1.23)

5–17 years ....................... 6.7 (0.30) 100.0 (0.00) 58.0 (0.66) 21.2 (0.54) 12.8 (0.38) 8.0 (0.34)

5–11 years ...................... 6.2 (0.43) 100.0 (0.00) 59.0 (0.89) 21.7 (0.77) 10.9 (0.51) 8.4 (0.47)

12–17 years ..................... 7.3 (0.45) 100.0 (0.00) 56.7 (0.88) 20.7 (0.70) 15.2 (0.60) 7.4 (0.44)

Race/ethnicity4

White, non-Hispanic ................. 5.6 (0.35) 100.0 (0.00) 58.6 (0.75) 17.8 (0.55) 9.3 (0.39) 14.3 (0.48)

Black,non-Hispanic .................. 6.8 (0.61) 100.0 (0.00) 44.5 (1.36) 24.4 (1.15) 15.3 (0.88) 15.8 (1.01)

Other, non-Hispanic .................. 3.5 (0.85) 100.0 (0.00) 49.7 (2.56) 19.2 (2.01) 12.6 (1.80) 18.5 (1.92)

Hispanic ......................... 8.0 (0.63) 100.0 (0.00) 40.2 (1.15) 20.8 (0.87) 13.9 (0.72) 25.1 (1.02)

Mexican American ................. 8.0 (0.84) 100.0 (0.00) 35.9 (1.62) 19.7 (1.07) 14.9 (0.93) 29.4 (1.48)

Family structure5

Mother and father ................... 5.4 (0.31) 100.0 (0.00) 56.0 (0.71) 18.5 (0.56) 9.5 (0.36) 16.0 (0.48)

Mother, no father ................... 8.2 (0.59) 100.0 (0.00) 46.8 (1.05) 21.0 (0.88) 14.5 (0.73) 17.7 (0.85)

Father, no mother ................... 7.1 (1.61) 100.0 (0.00) 47.1 (3.10) 21.7 (2.22) 17.1 (2.22) 14.1 (2.15)

Neither mother nor father .............. 4.5 (1.02) 100.0 (0.00) 45.4 (2.61) 24.0 (2.44) 15.6 (2.15) 15.0 (1.92)

Parent’s education6

Less than 12 years .................. 7.7 (0.72) 100.0 (0.00) 36.7 (1.38) 21.2 (1.18) 15.7 (1.08) 26.5 (1.32)

12 years ......................... 8.8 (0.63) 100.0 (0.00) 46.6 (1.18) 21.5 (0.92) 14.2 (0.74) 17.7 (0.87)

More than 12 years .................. 4.6 (0.32) 100.0 (0.00) 60.4 (0.77) 17.7 (0.61) 8.5 (0.40) 13.5 (0.45)

Family income7

Less than $20,000 .................. 9.7 (0.64) 100.0 (0.00) 40.1 (1.12) 22.0 (0.92) 15.1 (0.73) 22.8 (0.94)

$20,000 or more .................... 5.0 (0.30) 100.0 (0.00) 57.4 (0.67) 18.6 (0.54) 9.8 (0.38) 14.2 (0.42)

$20,000–$34,999 .................. 11.1 (0.91) 100.0 (0.00) 40.7 (1.36) 21.5 (1.16) 16.6 (0.95) 21.2 (1.12)

$35,000–$54,999 .................. 5.3 (0.54) 100.0 (0.00) 54.9 (1.24) 18.8 (1.00) 10.4 (0.72) 15.9 (0.81)

$55,000–$74,999 .................. 2.8 (0.45) 100.0 (0.00) 63.0 (1.47) 18.4 (1.13) 7.1 (0.81) 11.6 (0.95)

$75,000 or more .................. 1.1 (0.29) 100.0 (0.00) 72.5 (1.20) 13.9 (0.97) 5.0 (0.59) 8.6 (0.75)

Poverty status8

Poor ........................... 9.0 (0.74) 100.0 (0.00) 40.1 (1.36) 22.3 (1.20) 15.3 (0.96) 22.3 (1.12)

Near poor ........................ 11.9 (0.85) 100.0 (0.00) 39.7 (1.35) 22.0 (1.13) 16.7 (0.90) 21.7 (0.99)

Not poor ......................... 3.4 (0.27) 100.0 (0.00) 62.6 (0.72) 17.1 (0.57) 7.8 (0.39) 12.6 (0.44)

Health insurance coverage9

Private .......................... 3.8 (0.27) 100.0 (0.00) 59.8 (0.68) 18.7 (0.55) 8.6 (0.36) 13.0 (0.44)

Medicaid/other public ................. 5.5 (0.63) 100.0 (0.00) 47.1 (1.41) 22.4 (1.19) 12.0 (0.92) 18.4 (1.04)

Other ........................... *3.8 (1.16) 100.0 (0.00) 53.0 (4.04) 20.3 (3.02) 10.5 (2.08) 16.3 (2.35)

Uninsured ........................ 18.2 (1.14) 100.0 (0.00) 28.6 (1.30) 18.1 (1.02) 22.6 (1.14) 30.6 (1.38)

Place of residence

Large MSA10 ...................... 5.3 (0.34) 100.0 (0.00) 55.6 (0.80) 19.0 (0.62) 10.1 (0.43) 15.3 (0.57)

Small MSA10 ...................... 5.9 (0.42) 100.0 (0.00) 52.9 (1.03) 19.2 (0.83) 11.3 (0.56) 16.6 (0.72)

Not in MSA10 ...................... 7.9 (0.72) 100.0 (0.00) 49.1 (1.35) 20.2 (1.05) 12.6 (0.82) 18.0 (0.96)

Region

Northeast ........................ 4.3 (0.50) 100.0 (0.00) 58.9 (1.17) 18.5 (0.99) 8.4 (0.56) 14.1 (0.87)

Midwest ......................... 5.5 (0.55) 100.0 (0.00) 56.5 (1.36) 19.9 (0.97) 9.5 (0.64) 14.1 (0.76)

South .......................... 7.0 (0.47) 100.0 (0.00) 48.3 (1.00) 19.7 (0.75) 13.4 (0.59) 18.6 (0.76)

West ........................... 6.5 (0.50) 100.0 (0.00) 52.8 (1.23) 18.8 (1.04) 11.2 (0.70) 17.2 (0.90)
Page 42 [ Series 10, No. 203

Table 18. Percents (with standard errors) of unmet dental need in the past 12 months and percent distributions (with standard errors) of

length of time since last dental contact for children 2–17 years of age, by selected characteristics: United States, 1997—Con.

Time since last dental contact1

More than More than

6 months 1 year

Unmet dental All children 6 months but not more but not more More than

Selected characteristic need 2–17 years or less than 1 year than 3 years 3 years2

Current health status Percent distribution3 (standard error)

Excellent/very good/good .............. 5.8 (0.26) 100.0 (0.00) 53.6 (0.60) 19.3 (0.46) 10.9 (0.33) 16.2 (0.41)

Fair/poor ........................ 15.2 (2.48) 100.0 (0.00) 42.2 (3.33) 18.8 (2.47) 17.6 (2.70) 21.3 (3.04)

Dental care affordability

Can’t afford dental care ............... 100.0 (0.00) 100.0 (0.00) 25.1 (2.00) 17.2 (1.55) 30.8 (2.10) 26.9 (1.88)

Afford dental care ................... *– 100.0 (0.00) 55.2 (0.62) 19.5 (0.47) 9.8 (0.31) 15.6 (0.43)

Sex and age

Male:

2–4 years ...................... 2.8 (0.50) 100.0 (0.00) 33.3 (1.71) 11.7 (1.10) 3.4 (0.65) 51.7 (1.76)

5–17 years ...................... 6.8 (0.43) 100.0 (0.00) 56.5 (0.90) 22.3 (0.77) 13.1 (0.56) 8.2 (0.48)

5–11 years .................... 6.5 (0.62) 100.0 (0.00) 58.2 (1.18) 22.5 (1.02) 11.1 (0.72) 8.2 (0.67)

12–17 years ................... 7.1 (0.61) 100.0 (0.00) 54.4 (1.17) 22.1 (1.01) 15.4 (0.88) 8.1 (0.62)

Female:

2–4 years ...................... 3.6 (0.65) 100.0 (0.00) 33.7 (1.50) 10.8 (1.07) 3.3 (0.60) 52.2 (1.67)

5–17 years ...................... 6.6 (0.43) 100.0 (0.00) 59.6 (0.86) 20.1 (0.71) 12.6 (0.55) 7.7 (0.48)

5–11 years .................... 5.8 (0.56) 100.0 (0.00) 59.9 (1.21) 20.8 (1.05) 10.6 (0.72) 8.7 (0.66)

12–17 years ................... 7.5 (0.66) 100.0 (0.00) 59.1 (1.27) 19.2 (1.00) 15.0 (0.86) 6.6 (0.63)

* Figure does not meet standard of reliability or precision.

– Quantity zero.

1Data in this table are based on the following Sample Child (S.C.) questions: ‘‘About how long has it been since [S.C.name] last saw or talked to a dentist? Include all type of dentists, such as

orthodontists, oral surgeons, and all other dental specialists, as well as dental hygienists.’’ ‘‘During the past 12 months, was there any time when [S.C.name] needed any of the following but didn’t get it

because you couldn’t afford it: Dental care (including check-ups)?’’ See appendix II for more detailed definitions of selected terms used in this report.

2This category includes a small number of children who have never seen a dentist.

3Unknowns for the variable of interest are not included in the denominators when calculating percents. Additionally, percents may not add to 100.0% because of rounding.

4‘‘Other, non-Hispanic’’ includes non-Hispanic children whose race was identified as American Indian, Alaska Native, Asian, or Pacific Islander. Children of Hispanic origin may be of any race.

5Mother and father can include biological, adoptive, step, in-law, or foster relationships. Legal guardians are classified in ‘‘Neither mother nor father.’’

6Parent’s education is the education level of the parent with the higher level of education.

7The categories ‘‘Less than $20,000’’ and ‘‘$20,000 or more’’ include both respondents reporting specific dollar amounts and respondents reporting that their incomes were within those categories

(see appendix I). The indented categories include only those respondents who reported specific dollar amounts. Children with unknown family income are not shown.

8Poverty status is based on family income and family size using the U.S. Census Bureau’s poverty thresholds. ‘‘Poor’’ children are in families defined as below the poverty threshold. ‘‘Near poor’’

children are in families with incomes of 100% to less than 200% of the poverty threshold. ‘‘Not poor’’ children are in families with incomes of 200% of the poverty threshold or greater.

9Private health insurance may be obtained through the workplace or purchased directly. Among children under 18 years of age, ‘‘Medicaid/other public’’ includes those with Medicaid or other public

health insurance coverage (e.g., most state-sponsored coverage). ‘‘Other coverage’’ includes Medicare, military health insurance coverage, and/or another form of government-sponsored health

insurance coverage. Children with only Indian Health Service coverage are considered uninsured in this table.

10MSA is Metropolitan Statistical Area. Large MSAs have a population size of 1,000,000 or more; small MSAs have a population size of less than 1,000,000. ‘‘Not in MSA’’ consists of persons not living

in a Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Series 10, No. 203 [ Page 43

Appendix I

Technical Notes on

Methods

This report is one of a set of

statistical reports published by the

National Center for Health Statistics

(NCHS). It is based on data contained in

the 1997 public use Sample Child,

Person, and Health Insurance files. All

analyses were appropriately weighted

and produced using the SUDAAN

statistical package. Standard errors are

shown for all percents in the tables.

Percents with relative standard errors

greater than 30% are considered

unreliable and are indicated with an

asterisk. The relative standard errors are

calculated as follows:

Relative standard error = (SE/EST)100,

where SE is the standard error of the

estimate and EST is the estimated

percent.

Treatment of Unknown Values

In the tables, all unknown values

(respondents coded as ‘‘refused,’’ ‘‘don’t

know,’’ or ‘‘not ascertained’’) for the

variables of interest were removed from

the denominators when calculating row

percents. In most instances, the overall

number of unknowns is quite small and

would not have supported breakdowns

by the demographic characteristics

included in each table. Because these

unknowns are not shown separately,

users calculating their own percents

based on the frequencies and population

counts presented in the tables may

obtain slightly different results. To aid

users’ understanding of the data,

weighted counts and percents of

unknowns (with respect to the variables

of interest in each table) are shown in

table I.

Unknowns with respect to the

demographic characteristics used in each

table are not shown due to small cell

counts. However, unknowns with respect

to both family income and poverty

status typically include a sizable number

of persons regardless of the health

outcome shown in the table. Because it

is difficult to interpret the relationship

between ‘‘unknown’’ income (or poverty

status) and the health outcomes

displayed in the tables, counts of

persons in these unknown categories are

not shown in the tables. Table II shows

weighted counts of children in the U.S.

population with unknown values with

respect to poverty status and family

income, family structure, parent’s

education, health insurance coverage,

and current health status.

The topic of income is a sensitive

area for some NHIS respondents.

Therefore, the ‘‘Income and Assets’’

section of the Family Core of the

redesigned NHIS instrument allows

respondents to report their family

income in several ways. Respondents

are first asked to provide their family’s

total combined income in a dollar

amount (from $0 up to $999,995) before

taxes from all sources for the previous

calendar year. Respondents who did not

know or refused to state an amount are

then asked if their family’s combined

income in the previous calendar year

was $20,000 or more or less than

$20,000. If they again refused to answer

or said that they did not know, they

were not asked any more questions

about their family income. Respondents

who replied to this above-below

$20,000 question were handed a card

with 43 fairly detailed income categories

(top-coded at $75,000) and asked to

pick the interval containing their best

estimate of their family’s combined

income. NHIS respondents thus fall in 1

of 4 categories with respect to income

information: those willing to supply a

dollar amount (75% of the 1997

sample), those willing to indicate their

income from a fairly detailed set of

intervals (4.2% of the sample), those

who would only say that their family’s

income was either $20,000 or more

Table I. Weighted counts and percents of children with ‘‘unknown’’ information: National Health Interview Survey, 1997

Weighted

count (in Percent of

Variable of interest thousands) children

Ever had asthma (children aged 0–17 years) (table 1) ............................ 226 0.32

Had asthma in past 12 months (children aged 0–17 years) (table 1) .................... 13 0.17

Hay fever (children aged 0–17 years) (table 2) ................................. 343 0.48

Respiratory allergies (children aged 0–17 years) (table 2) .......................... 312 0.44

Other allergies (children aged 0–17 years) (table 2) .............................. 159 0.22

Learning disability (children aged 3–17 years) (table 3) ............................ 192 0.32

Attention Deficit Disorder (children aged 3–17 years) (table 3) ....................... 209 0.35

Taken prescription medicine for at least 3 months (children aged 0–17 years) (table 4) ........ 143 0.20

Current health status (children aged 0–17 years) (tables 5,6) ........................ 35 0.05

Current health status (children ages 1–17 years) (tables 7,8) ........................ 35 0.05

Health status compared to a year ago (children aged 1–17 years) (tables 7,8) ............. 356 0.50

School days missed in the past 12 months (children aged 5–17 years) (tables 9,10) .......... 859 1.66

Has usual source of care (children aged 0–17 years) (tables 11,12,15,16) ................ 166 0.23

Location of usual source of care (children aged 0–17 years) (tables 11,12) ............... 28 0.04

Interval since last contact with health professional (children aged 0–17 years) (tables 13,14) .... 584 0.82

Health insurance coverage (children aged 0–17 years) (tables 15,16) ................... 604 0.85

Unmet medical need (children aged 0–17 years) (tables 15,16) ....................... 72 0.10

Delayed medical care due to cost (children aged 0–17 years) (tables 15,16) ............... 60 0.08

Emergency room visits (children aged 0–17 years) (tables 15,16) ..................... 375 0.53

Unmet dental need (children aged 2–17 years) (tables 17,18) ........................ 56 0.09

Time since last dental contact (children aged 2–17 years) (tables 17,18) ................. 210 0.32
Page 44 [ Series 10, No. 203

Table II. Weighted counts and percents of children with ‘‘unknown’’ information on selected

sociodemographic characteristics: National Health Interview Survey, 1997 Appendix II

Weighted

count (in Percent of

Variable of interest thousands) children Definition of Selected

Family structure ....................... 14 0.02

Parent’s education1 ..................... 2,502 3.51

Family income ........................ 2,655 3.72

Poverty status ........................ 10,649 14.92

Health insurance coverage ................ 604 0.85

Current health status .................... 35 0.05

1All parents not in the household were counted in the unknown category for parent’s education; this was in addition to parents in

the household with unknown education level.

or less that $20,000 (14.2% of the

sample), and those unwilling to provide

any information whatsoever (6.6% of

the sample). Respondents who would

only state that their family income was

below $20,000 are included in the ‘‘Less

than $20,000’’ category under ‘‘Family

income’’ in the tables in this report

(along with those respondents who gave

a dollar amount or an interval estimate

that was less than $20,000). Likewise,

respondents who would only state that

their family income was at or above

$20,000 are included in the ‘‘$20,000 or

more’’ category under ‘‘Family income’’

(again, this category includes

respondents who also supplied a dollar

amount or an interval estimate that was

$20,000 or more). For this reason, the

counts for the detailed amounts do not

sum to the count shown for $20,000 or

more.

A poverty status recode variable is

formed for respondents who supplied

either a dollar amount or an interval

estimate for their family’s income. This

variable is the ratio of the family’s

income in the previous calendar year to

the appropriate poverty threshold (given

the family’s size and number of

children) in 1996 as calculated by the

U.S. Census Bureau (25). Children who

are categorized as ‘‘Poor’’ had a ratio

less than 1.0, that is, their family

income was strictly below the poverty

threshold. The ‘‘Near poor’’ category

includes children with family incomes

of 100% to less than 200% of the

poverty threshold. Lastly, ‘‘Not poor’’

children have family incomes that are

200% of the poverty threshold or

greater. By necessity, the remaining

groups of respondents—those who

would only indicate that they were

at/above $20,000 versus below $20,000,

as well as those who refused to provide

any income information whatsoever—

are coded as ‘‘unknown’’ with respect to

poverty status. Once the sample weight

is applied, 3.72% of the U.S. child

population is missing information on

income, and 14.92% is missing

information on poverty status.

Table II shows weighted counts (in

thousands) and percents for portions of

children in the U.S. population missing

information with respect to poverty

status and family income, family

structure, parent’s education, health

insurance coverage, and current health

status, across all health outcomes

included in this report.

Hypothesis Tests

Two-tailed tests of significance

were performed on all the comparisons

mentioned in the ‘‘Selected Highlights’’

section of this report (no adjustments

were made for multiple comparisons).

The test statistic used to determine

statistical significance of the difference

between two percents was:

Z=|Xa – Xb | / √Sa

2 + Sb2 ,

where Xa and Xb are the two percents

being compared, and Sa and Sb are the

SUDAAN-calculated standard errors of

those percents. The critical value used

for two-sided tests at the 0.05 level of

significance was 1.96.

Terms

Demographic Terms

Age—The age recorded for each child is

the age at the last birthday. Age is

recorded in single years and grouped

using a variety of age categories

depending on the purpose of the table.

Family structure—Family structure

describes the parent (s) present in the

household with the sample child.

Mother and father can include

biological, adoptive, step, in-law, or

foster parents. Legal guardians are not

classified as parents.

Geographic region of residence—To

classify the U.S. population by

geographic area, the States are grouped

into four regions. These regions, which

correspond to those used by the U.S.

Census Bureau are as follows:

Region States included

Northeast Maine, Vermont, New

Hampshire, Massachusetts,

Connecticut, Rhode Island,

New York, New Jersey, and

Pennsylvania

Midwest Ohio, Illinois, Indiana,

Michigan, Wisconsin,

Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri,

North Dakota, South Dakota,

Kansas, and Nebraska

South Delaware, Maryland, District

of Columbia, West Virginia,

Virginia, Kentucky,

Tennessee, North Carolina,

South Carolina, Georgia,

Florida, Alabama,

Mississippi, Louisiana,

Oklahoma, Arkansas, and

Texas

West Washington, Oregon,

California, Nevada, New

Mexico, Arizona, Idaho,

Utah, Colorado, Montana,

Wyoming, Alaska, and

Hawaii
Series 10, No. 203 [ Page 45

Place of residence—An individual’s

place of residence is classified as inside

a metropolitan statistical area (MSA) or

outside an MSA. Generally, an MSA

consists of a county or group of

counties containing at least one city (or

twin cities) having a population of

50,000 or more plus adjacent counties

that are metropolitan in character and

economically and socially integrated

with the central city. In New England,

towns and cities rather than counties are

the units used in defining MSAs. There

is neither a limit to the number of

adjacent counties included in the MSA

if they are integrated with the central

city nor is an MSA limited to a single

State; boundaries may cross State lines.

The metropolitan populations in this

report are based on MSAs as defined in

the 1990 Census. In the tables for this

report, place of residence is based on a

variable in the 1997 Person data file

indicating MSA size. This variable is

collapsed into three categories: MSAs

with a population of 1,000,000 or more;

MSAs with a population of less than

1,000,000; and non-MSA areas.

Race/ethnicity—Race characterization is

based on the respondent’s description of

his or her racial background as well as

the racial background of each family

member. Respondents are also asked

whether they are of Hispanic origin.

Information from these two sources is

used to create a four-category

race/ethnicity indicator, which

distinguishes between non-Hispanic

white, non-Hispanic black, non-Hispanic

other, and Hispanic persons.

Non-Hispanic other includes persons

who identified their race as American

Indian, Alaska Native, Asian, or Pacific

Islander. Hispanic persons may be of

any race. Some tables also show

Mexican Americans as a subset of

Hispanics.

Socioeconomic Terms

Family income—Each member of a

family is classified according to the total

income of the family of which he or she

is a member. Within the household, all

persons related to each other by blood,

marriage or cohabitation, or adoption

constitute a family. Unrelated

individuals living in the same household

(e.g., roommates) are considered to be

separate families and are classified

according to their own incomes. The

income recorded is the total of all

income received by members of the

family (or by an unrelated individual) in

the previous calendar year. Income from

all sources—wages, salaries, pensions,

government payments, child

support/alimony, dividends, help from

relatives, etc.—is included.

Health insurance coverage—NHIS

respondents were asked about their

health insurance coverage at the time of

the interview. Respondents could also

state whether they were covered by

private insurance obtained from their

employer or workplace, private

insurance that they had purchased

directly, Medicare, Medi-Gap

(supplemental Medicare coverage),

Medicaid, military or VA health care (as

well as CHAMPUS/TRICARE/CHAMPVA), a state-sponsored health plan, or a

government program (other than those

already mentioned). This information is

used to form a health insurance

hierarchy of four mutually exclusive

categories for persons under age 65

years (private, Medicaid/other public,

other coverage, or uninsured), and five

mutually exclusive categories for

persons aged 65 years and over (private,

Medicaid and Medicare, Medicare only,

other coverage, and uninsured). Private

coverage includes persons who have any

comprehensive private health insurance

plan (including health maintenance

organizations and preferred provider

organizations) and persons who have a

hospitalization plan only; these may be

either obtained from one’s employer or

workplace or purchased directly. Among

persons younger than age 65 years,

those with Medicaid and/or another

form of public insurance coverage (e.g.,

most state-sponsored coverage) are

distinguished from those with ‘‘other

coverage,’’ which includes Medicare,

military health insurance coverage,

and/or another form of governmentsponsored health insurance coverage.

Among persons aged 65 years and over,

those with Medicaid plus Medicare

coverage are distinguished from those

with Medicare-only coverage. ‘‘Other

coverage’’ includes those with Medicaid

only, other forms of public health

insurance coverage (e.g., Statesponsored coverage), military coverage,

and other forms of governmentsponsored health coverage (in all cases,

without Medicare). Given this hierarchy,

an individual with more than one type

of health insurance, such as private and

military coverage, would be assigned to

the first appropriate category in the

hierarchy (i.e., private).

If respondents do not report

coverage under one of the above types

of plans, they are considered to have

‘‘unknown’’ coverage. Weighted

frequencies indicate that 1.3% of the

population under age 65 years were in

this ‘‘unknown’’ category as opposed to

0.8% of the population aged 65 years

and over. All remaining respondents are

considered uninsured. Uninsured persons

are those who do not have coverage

under private health insurance,

Medicare, Medicaid, public assistance, a

State-sponsored health plan, other

government-sponsored programs, or a

military health plan. In addition, persons

with only Indian Health Service

coverage are considered uninsured.

Weighted frequencies indicate that

17.3% of the population under age 65

years was uninsured as opposed to 1.1%

of persons aged 65 years and over.

Parent’s education—Parent’s education

reflects the highest grade in school

completed by the sample child’s mother

or father. The categories of education

are based on the years of school

completed or highest degree obtained

for persons aged 25 years and over.

Only years completed in regular school,

where persons are given a formal

education, are included. A ‘‘regular’’

school is one that advances a person

toward an elementary or high school

diploma or a college, university, or

professional degree. Thus, education in

vocational, trade, or business school

outside the regular school system is not

counted in determining the highest grade

of school completed. Likewise,

participation in adult education classes

not taken for credit in a regular school

system is not included. For example, a

person who took conversational Spanish

through an adult education program at a
Page 46 [ Series 10, No. 203

local university would not be counted as

having ‘‘some college.’’ Schooling in

other than regular schools (e.g., home

schooling) is counted only if the credits

obtained are acceptable in a regular

school system.

Poverty status—Poverty status is based

on family income and family size using

the U.S. Census Bureau poverty

thresholds. Poor persons are defined as

those below the poverty threshold. Near

poor persons have incomes of 100% to

less than 200% of the poverty threshold.

Not poor persons have incomes that are

200% of the poverty threshold or

greater. Appendix I has more

information on the measurement of

family income and poverty status.

Health Terms

Asthma—Asthma includes smoker’s

asthma, bronchial asthma, and allergic

asthma. Asthma is indicated when a

doctor or other health professional

reported to the family that the sample

child has asthma.

Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)—

ADD is indicated when a doctor or

other health professional reported to the

family that the sample child has

Attention Deficit Disorder or ADD.

Contacts with health professionals—

Contact with a health professional is

defined as a visit to or conversation

with a doctor or other health

professional by anyone in the family

about the health of the sample child.

Contacts may include visits by a health

professional to the patient’s home; a

telephone call to the office of a health

professional for medical advice,

prescriptions, or test results, but not to

make an appointment; or an

appointment with a health professional

in a doctor’s office, clinic, emergency

room, or some other place, excluding

overnight hospital stays. Health

professionals are defined as all types of

medical doctors, including

dermatologists, psychiatrists,

ophthalmologists, and general

practitioners, as well as nurses, physical

therapists, and chiropractors.

Delays in receiving needed medical

care—Data pertaining to delays in

receiving needed medical care due to

cost are derived from a question in the

1997 NHIS that asked respondents

whether anyone in the family had

delayed seeking medical care in the past

12 months because of worry about the

cost.

Doctor or other health professional—

This group includes medical doctors

(M.D.s) and osteopathic physicians

(D.O.s) (both general practitioners and

specialists), psychologists, nurses,

physical therapists, and chiropractors.

Health Status—Respondent-assessed

health status is obtained from a question

in the survey that asked respondents,

‘‘Would you say your health in general

was excellent, very good, good, fair, or

poor?’’ Information was obtained from

all respondents with proxy responses

allowed for adults not taking part in the

interview and all children under 18

years of age. A small number of

respondents either refused to answer or

could not provide an answer to the

question; these persons are not shown in

the frequency distributions, nor are they

included in the denominators when

calculating the percent distributions.

Hospital emergency room or ER

visits—This includes visits to a hospital

emergency room only. Visits for

emergency care received at an HMO,

outpatient clinic, or urgent care center

are not included.

Prescription medicine—Medication that

can only be obtained with the approval

of a licensed health care provider.

Unmet medical need—Unmet medical

need was based on a question that asked

respondents whether someone in the

family had needed medical care during

the past 12 months but did not get it

because the family could not afford it.

Usual place of care—A usual place of

care includes a walk-in clinic, doctor’s

office, clinic, health center, Health

Maintenance Organization (HMO),

hospital emergency room or outpatient

clinic, or a military or Veterans

Administration (VA) health care facility.
Vital and Health Statistics

series descriptions

SERIES 1.	 Programs and Collection Procedures—These reports 

describe the data collection programs of the National Center 

for Health Statistics. They include descriptions of the methods 

used to collect and process the data, definitions, and other 

material necessary for understanding the data. 

SERIES 2.	 Data Evaluation and Methods Research—These reports are 

studies of new statistical methods and include analytical 

techniques, objective evaluations of reliability of collected data, 

and contributions to statistical theory. These studies also 

include experimental tests of new survey methods and 

comparisons of U.S. methodology with those of other 

countries. 

SERIES 3.	 Analytical and Epidemiological Studies—These reports 

present analytical or interpretive studies based on vital and 

health statistics. These reports carry the analyses further than 

the expository types of reports in the other series. 

SERIES 4.	 Documents and Committee Reports—These are final 

reports of major committees concerned with vital and health 

statistics and documents such as recommended model vital 

registration laws and revised birth and death certificates. 

SERIES 5.	 International Vital and Health Statistics Reports—These 

reports are analytical or descriptive reports that compare U.S. 

vital and health statistics with those of other countries or 

present other international data of relevance to the health 

statistics system of the United States. 

SERIES 6.	 Cognition and Survey Measurement—These reports are 

from the National Laboratory for Collaborative Research in 

Cognition and Survey Measurement. They use methods of 

cognitive science to design, evaluate, and test survey 

instruments. 

SERIES 10.	 Data From the National Health Interview Survey—These 

reports contain statistics on illness; unintentional injuries; 

disability; use of hospital, medical, and other health services; 

and a wide range of special current health topics covering 

many aspects of health behaviors, health status, and health 

care utilization. They are based on data collected in a 

continuing national household interview survey. 

SERIES 11.	 Data From the National Health Examination Survey, the

National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, and

the Hispanic Health and Nutrition Examination Survey— 

Data from direct examination, testing, and measurement on 

representative samples of the civilian noninstitutionalized 

population provide the basis for (1) medically defined total 

prevalence of specific diseases or conditions in the United 

States and the distributions of the population with respect to 

physical, physiological, and psychological characteristics, and 

(2) analyses of trends and relationships among various 

measurements and between survey periods. 

SERIES 12.	 Data From the Institutionalized Population Surveys— 

Discontinued in 1975. Reports from these surveys are 

included in Series 13. 

SERIES 13.	 Data From the National Health Care Survey—These reports 

contain statistics on health resources and the public’s use of 

health care resources including ambulatory, hospital, and longterm care services based on data collected directly from 

health care providers and provider records. 

SERIES 14.	 Data on Health Resources: Manpower and Facilities— 

Discontinued in 1990. Reports on the numbers, geographic 

distribution, and characteristics of health resources are now 

included in Series 13. 

SERIES 15.	 Data From Special Surveys—These reports contain statistics 

on health and health-related topics collected in special 

surveys that are not part of the continuing data systems of the 

National Center for Health Statistics. 

SERIES 16.	 Compilations of Advance Data From Vital and Health

Statistics—Advance Data Reports provide early release of 

information from the National Center for Health Statistics’ 

health and demographic surveys. They are compiled in the 

order in which they are published. Some of these releases 

may be followed by detailed reports in Series 10–13. 

SERIES 20.	 Data on Mortality—These reports contain statistics on 

mortality that are not included in regular, annual, or monthly 

reports. Special analyses by cause of death, age, other 

demographic variables, and geographic and trend analyses 

are included. 

SERIES 21.	 Data on Natality, Marriage, and Divorce—These reports 

contain statistics on natality, marriage, and divorce that are 

not included in regular, annual, or monthly reports. Special 

analyses by health and demographic variables and 

geographic and trend analyses are included. 

SERIES 22.	 Data From the National Mortality and Natality Surveys— 

Discontinued in 1975. Reports from these sample surveys, 

based on vital records, are now published in Series 20 or 21. 

SERIES 23.	 Data From the National Survey of Family Growth—These 

reports contain statistics on factors that affect birth rates, 

including contraception, infertility, cohabitation, marriage, 

divorce, and remarriage; adoption; use of medical care for 

family planning and infertility; and related maternal and infant 

health topics. These statistics are based on national surveys 

of women of childbearing age. 

SERIES 24.	 Compilations of Data on Natality, Mortality, Marriage,

Divorce, and Induced Terminations of Pregnancy— 

These include advance reports of births, deaths, marriages, 

and divorces based on final data from the National Vital 

Statistics System that were published as supplements to the 

Monthly Vital Statistics Report (MVSR). These reports provide 

highlights and summaries of detailed data subsequently 

published in Vital Statistics of the United States. Other 

supplements to the MVSR published here provide selected 

findings based on final data from the National Vital Statistics 

System and may be followed by detailed reports in Series 20 

or 21. 

For answers to questions about this report or for a list of reports published in 

these series, contact: 

Data Dissemination Branch


National Center for Health Statistics


Centers for Disease Control and Prevention


6525 Belcrest Road, Room 1064


Hyattsville, MD 20782-2003


(301) 458–4636


E-mail: nchsquery@cdc.gov


Internet: www.cdc.gov/nchs