Child Health USA '93

This annual report presents data on the health status and needs of American children from infancy through adolescence. The report's first section gives general population data, providing context for sections two and three, which present data on health status and service utilization for American children. The fourth section contains state-specific data on infant health which show the variability among states on basic health measures. The data indicate that gaps exist in primary care which could save the lives or improve the health of millions of children. Almost half of American children were not receiving immunizations at the recommended ages. Almost 28% of children aged 5-17 had not had a dental visit in the previous year. From ages 1-20, children and adolescents are more likely to die from injury than from any other cause, in spite of simple precautions, such as wearing bicycle helmets, a practice that could have prevented many injuries. Data indicate that greater efforts should be made to combat abuse, neglect, drugs, and violence in the family. School-based and school-linked services are both promising ways to make better health services and information available to children and their families. Health care reform, providing universal health insurance coverage, help bring American children and their families appropriate health promotion, disease prevention, disease treatment, and chronic care. (Contains 46 references.) (CC)