 |
In 2001, there were 72.6 million children in the US, comprising
25% of the population and down from a high of 36% in 1964. In
2000, 64% of U.S. children were White, non-Hispanic, 16 % were
Hispanic, 15 % were Black, non-Hispanic, 4% were Asian/Pacific
Islander, and 1% were American Indian/Alaska native. The percentage
of children living with at least one parent who was foreign-born
was 20% in 2002, up from 15 % in 1999.
The government report,compiled by the Federal Inter Agency Forum
on Child and Family Statistics on America’s children shows that
violent crime, smoking, and heavy drinking among U.S. teenagers
are all on the decline. However, more children are overweight
than ever. "Contrary to what many people may think, the Nation’s
children are faring better in many respects than they have in
previous years," said Duane Alexander, M.D., Director of the National
Institute of Child Health and Human Development. "The report provides
an accurate snap shot of our children, showing areas where strong
gains have been made, and where we need to remain vigilant...Most
people, about two-thirds, believe that crime is going up among
America’s children, the picture painted by this report, based
on actual data, paints the opposite picture."
According to the report released by the National Institutes of
Health, the Census Bureau, and other agencies, victims reported
413,000 juvenile crimes in 2002, which translates into 17 violent
crimes per 1,000 juveniles age12 to 17. "This is a 67% drop from
the 1993 high, and the lowest rate recorded since the national
victimization survey began in 1973," the report stated.
It also found that fewer children are being killed by guns. Last
year, firearms were involved in 19% of deaths among 15- to 19-year-olds.
Exposure to second-hand smoke also fell, and fewer teens smoked.
As recently as 1994, 88 % of children ages 4 to 11 were exposed
to second-hand smoke. The latest report found that rate had dropped
to 64%. Daily smoking by youth dropped to the lowest rate since
1975, and heavy drinking among teens also declined.
The health section of this year’s report introduces a new indicator
on overweight. The proportion of children ages 6 to 18 that were
overweight increased from 6% in 1976-1980 to 11% in 1988-1994
to 15% in 1999-2000. The report added that Black, non-Hispanic
girls and Mexican American boys are at particularly high risk
of being overweight.
The number of teens who smoke cigarettes daily dropped to the
lowest point since data were first collected in 1975, to 5% of
eighth graders,10 % of tenth graders, and 17% of twelfth graders.
Moreover, the percentage of 10th graders who reported episodes
of heavy drinking declined from 25% in 2001 to 22 % in 2002. Heavy
drinking is defined as 5 or more drinks in a row at least once
in the past two weeks. In addition, among tenth graders, illicit
drug use in the past 30 days declined from 23% in 2001 to 21 %
in 2002. |
