The Health and Well-Being of Children: A Portrait of States and the Nation 2007. The National Survey of Children's Health 2007
Author: Health Resources and Services Administration (DHHS)
Date: 2009-07-00
Type: Numerical/Quantitative Data
Subjects: Health Needs,Public Health,Health Promotion,Health Conditions,Child Health,Family Environment,Well Being,Physical Health,Mental Health,Access to Health Care,Social Development,Neighborhoods,National Surveys,At Risk Persons,Prevention,Comparative Analysis,Diseases,Disabilities,Dental Health,Nutrition,Health Insurance,Peer Relationship,Early Intervention,Child Safety,Recreational Activities,Family Relationship,Religion,Parent Influence,Child Care

While data sources exist to measure and monitor the health of children in the United States, few take into account the many contexts in which children grow and develop, including their family and community environments. The National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH), conducted in 2007, addresses multiple aspects of children's health and well-being--including physical and mental health, health care, and social well-being--as well as aspects of the family and the neighborhood that can affect children's health, on both the national and State levels. The survey was supported and developed by the Health Resources and Services Administration's Maternal and Child Health Bureau and conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics. This represents the second round of the NSCH, which was conducted for the first time in 2003. While many of the indicators reported here were reported in the 2003 survey, some of the survey questions have been revised to improve the quality of the data obtained. Those changes, however, may influence parents' responses. Therefore, this report notes where current findings cannot be compared with those reported in 2003. This chartbook presents indicators of the health and well-being of children, as well as the factors in the family environment and aspects of the neighborhood that may support or threaten families and children. These indicators present basic information on the health status and risk and protective factors experienced by children on the national level, and show the subpopulations who are at particular risk in each area. Children's use of preventive health care services was compared to the standards presented in the Bright Futures guidelines for children's health care. This is followed by analyses of key indicators on the State level for each of the 50 States and the District of Columbia. The Technical Appendix at the end of this book presents information about the survey methodology and sample in summary form. [For related reports, see &quot;Children with Special Health Care Needs in Context: A Portrait of States and the Nation 2007. The National Survey of Children's Health 2007&quot; (ED530916); &quot;The Health and Well-Being of Children in Rural Areas: A Portrait of the Nation 2007. The National Survey of Children's Health&quot; (ED530919); and &quot;The Mental and Emotional Well-Being of Children: A Portrait of States and the Nation 2007. The National Survey of Children's Health&quot; (ED530917).]