High Health Status - Children in Rhode Island

Rhode Island

Self-reported health status measures how individuals perceive their health. Parents with young children are asked to estimate the health of their children on their behalf. Reported health status is a subjective measure of health-related quality of life that is not limited to specific health conditions or outcomes, but factors in social support, ability and ease of functioning, as well as other socioeconomic, environmental and cultural components. 

Among adults, research shows that those with “poor” reported health status have a mortality risk double that of those with “excellent” reported health status. The association between health status and mortality makes this measure a good predictor of future mortality rates and health care use.

Chronic illnesses such as ADHD, anxiety, cancer and kidney disease are often associated with lower quality of life and lower reported health status in children. More years of schooling are associated with better reported health status among late adolescents and adults, which may be related to the fact that those who graduated high school are more likely to have fewer chronic conditions.

According to America’s Health Rankings analysis, the prevalence of children described as being in “very good” or “excellent” health is higher among:

• Children without special health care needs compared with children with special health care needs. 
• Children with a parent or guardian who graduated from college compared with those whose parents or guardians have less than a high school education. The prevalence increases with each higher education level.

A study of high school dropouts found that the link between lower education and negative health outcomes was even more pronounced for children who grew up in low-income households; other survey data corroborate that the prevalence of better health is higher among children living in higher-income households. Research has found that a good self-perception of one’s financial security and economic situation is further associated with better health status.

The Community Preventive Services Task Force recommends implementing high-quality, center-based early childhood education programs to improve health outcomes. These programs promote health equity and narrow the educational achievement gap, especially for children in low-income or racial/ethnic minority communities.

Additional strategies that promote children’s health include:

• Scheduling regular well-child visits.
• Getting immunizations in a timely manner.
• Encouraging healthy eating by incorporating more fruits and vegetables into their diets.
• Providing physical education and opportunities to attain the recommended 60 minutes of exercise a day.
• Developing healthy sleep habits.

The Title V Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant Program has several goals for children’s health, including:

• Supporting access to quality health care for children in low-income households, children in low-access areas and children with special health care needs.
• Fostering family-centered, community-based care systems for children with special health care needs. 
• Setting up toll-free hotlines to assist eligible families with infants or children with applying for Medicaid.

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