The 2008 National Poll on Children’s Health

The C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital at the University of Michigan began conducting their National Poll on Children’s Health (NPCH) in 2007 in order to measure what Americans thought were the most important health issues facing children in the U.S. When conducting the surveys, the NPCH uses responses from about 2,000 adults in the country, that may or may not have children of their own. The survey uses a web-based system by Knowledge Networks, which selects a different sample for each poll to resemble the U.S. population. NPCH selects the top twelve issues that the people surveyed believed were the most concerning regarding children’s health. The survey allows people to choose from 20 issues, with depression, suicide, driving accidents, school violence, asthma, autism, eating disorders and neighborhood safety not making the top 12 list.

The first poll in 2007 revealed that smoking, drug abuse and obesity (in that order) were the most significant health issues for children. In the most recent poll conducted in 2008, childhood obesity jumped to number one, knocking drug abuse and smoking down to the second and third spots. The concern for obesity in children has grown as a result of the decrease in physical activity and the lack of healthy foods in the diets of many children. The results were listed in order of importance as follows:

1. Childhood obesity
2. Drug abuse
3. Smoking
4. Bullying
5. Internet safety
6. Child abuse and neglect
7. Teenage pregnancy
8. Alcohol abuse
9. Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder
10. Sexually transmitted infection
11. Harmful chemicals in environment
12. Less physical activity

The poll also yielded some interesting results when it came to the different categories of Americans surveyed and what they felt were the most important issues. In adults that were not parents of children, the most important issues were drug abuse, smoking, internet safety and sexually transmitted infections. Teen pregnancy was the biggest concern for Black adults, while Hispanic and white adults rated this issue as a less of a concern. Hispanic adults believed that the top two concerns among children were smoking and drug abuse. When it came to household income, the survey revealed that people with higher incomes did not see drug abuse as one of the most important issues, while low-income households rated obesity and internet safety as less important.

Still, with obesity as the number one concern in the 2008 poll, it is important for parents, schools and health care systems in the U.S. to do their part and make sure kids start eating healthier and getting adequate exercise. Also, with drug abuse and smoking still ranking high on the list, it is vital to address these issues to keep children safe and healthy. If your child has been hurt by a hospital, at school or at daycare, please contact Silberstein, Awad & Miklos, serving clients in Nassau and Suffolk County, Brooklyn, Bronx and Queens. Silberstein, Awad & Miklos also serve clients located in Staten Island and Westchester County.

Call us toll-free 1-877-ASK4SAM and visit www.ask4sam.net