Health Status > Children

HEALTH STATUS OF CHILDREN

In 2003, 84.1 percent of children were in excellent or very good health, according to parent reports. Males were slightly less likely to be in excellent or very good health than females (83.5 versus 84.7 percent). The percent of children in excellent or very good health decreases with increased age: 86.0 percent of children under age 5 were in excellent or very good health, compared to 83.8 percent of 6- to 11-year-olds and 82.6 percent of 12- to 17-year-olds.

The rate of children in excellent or very good health varies by several other factors, including family income and race and ethnicity. Non-Hispanic White children were the most likely to be in excellent or very good health (90.7 percent) while Hispanic children were the least likely (64.4 percent). Children with family incomes below 100 percent of the Federal poverty level (FPL) were least likely to be reported by parents to be in excellent or very good health (66.8 percent), followed by those with family incomes of 100 to 199 percent of FPL (80.9 percent), and those with family incomes of 200 to 399 percent of FPL (90.2 percent); children with family incomes of 400 percent of FPL or above were the most likely to be in excellent or very good health (93.8 percent).

> Bar Chart: Bar Chart: Children Aged 0-17 Years in Excellent or Very Good Health, by Race/Ethnicity: 2003

> Bar Chart: Children Aged 0-17 Years in Excellent or Very Good Health, by Family Income: 2003