HC 2.3

GENERAL HEALTH CONDITION: PERCENTAGE OF CHILDREN IN VERY GOOD OR EXCELLENT HEALTH

Most children in the United States are reported by their parents to be in very good or excellent health. The percentage of all children under age 18 reported to be in very good or excellent health has remained at about 80 percent since 1984. These reports vary little by gender; there are modest differences by age of child for some population subgroups (see Table HC 2.3).

Differences by Race. Parents’ reports of their children’s health vary by race. Between 1984 and 1994, black parents were less likely than white parents to report that their children were in very good or excellent health. In 1994, 72 percent of black children under age five were reported in very good or excellent health, compared to 83 percent of white children. Sixty-eight percent of black children ages five to 17 were reported in very good or excellent health, compared to 81 percent of white children in this age group (see Table HC 2.3).

Differences by Family Income. Parents’ reports of their children’s health also vary by family income, with higher-income families more likely to report that their children are in very good or excellent health. For example, in 1994, 67 percent of children under age five in families with annual incomes under $10 thousand were reported to be in very good or excellent health, compared to 90 percent of children in families with incomes of $35 thousand or more. A similar pattern exists for children ages five to 17 (see Figure HC 2.3).
 
 

Figure HC 2.3   Percentage of Children Under Age 18 Reported by Their Parents to Be in Very Good or Excellent Health, by Family Income: 1994

Source: National Center for Health Statistics. “Current Estimates from the National Health Interview Survey: United States, 1994.” Vital and Health Statistics, Series 10, No. 193 (table 70).
 
 

Table HC 2.3  Percentage of Children Under Age 18 Reported by Their Parents to Be in Very Good or Excellent Health: Selected Years, 1984-1994
					—————— Age: <5 —————							———— Age: 5-17 ————
					1984		1987	1990	1992	1993	1994	1984	1987	1990	1992	1993	1994
					——		——	——	——	——	——	——	——	——	——	——	——
Total					79		81	81	80	80	81	77	80	80	80	79	79
	Race
		Black			67		71	72	70	71	72	65	66	68	68	70	68
		White			81		84	83	82	82	83	80	83	83	82	81	81
	Gender
		Male			78		—	80	79	80	81	78	—	81	80	79	79
		Female			79		—	82	81	80	81	77	—	80	79	78	78
	Family Incomea
		Under $10,000									67						62
		$10,000-$19,999									74						68
		$20,000-$34,999									80						77
		$35,000 or more									90						88
Notes: aFamily income is not adjusted in the National Health Interview Survey for comparison over time, therefore family income is shown only for the most recent year.   Source: National Center for Health Statistics. "Current Estimates from the National Health Interview Survey: United States," 1984, 1987, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1994; Vital and Health Statistics, Series 10, Nos. 156, 166, 181, 189, 190, and 193, Table 70 in each.