The Design and Implementation of the 2016 National Survey of Children's Health.

Introduction Since 2001, the Health Resources and Services Administration's Maternal and Child Health Bureau (HRSA MCHB) has funded and directed the National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH) and the National Survey of Children with Special Health Care Needs (NS-CSHCN), unique sources of national and state-level data on child health and health care. Between 2012 and 2015, HRSA MCHB redesigned the surveys, combining content into a single survey, and shifting from a periodic interviewer-assisted telephone survey to an annual self-administered web/paper-based survey utilizing an address-based sampling frame. Methods The U.S. Census Bureau fielded the redesigned NSCH using a random sample of addresses drawn from the Census Master Address File, supplemented with a unique administrative flag to identify households most likely to include children. Data were collected June 2016-February 2017 using a multi-mode design, encouraging web-based responses while allowing for paper mail-in responses. A parent/caregiver knowledgeable about the child's health completed an age-appropriate questionnaire. Experiments on incentives, branding, and contact strategies were conducted. Results Data were released in September 2017. The final sample size was 50,212 children; the overall weighted response rate was 40.7%. Comparison of 2016 estimates to those from previous survey iterations are not appropriate due to sampling and mode changes. Discussion The NSCH remains an invaluable data source for key measures of child health and attendant health care system, family, and community factors. The redesigned survey extended the utility of this resource while seeking a balance between previous strengths and innovations now possible.

A New Decade of Healthy People: Considerations for Comparing Youth Physical Activity Across 2 Surveillance Systems.

BACKGROUND: Healthy People 2030 includes objectives to increase meeting the aerobic physical activity guideline for ages 6-13 years (of ages 6-17 y, monitored by National Survey of Children's Health [NSCH]) and grades 9 to 12 (mostly aged 14-18+ y, monitored by Youth Risk Behavior Survey [YRBS]). This study compares methodologies, prevalence, and patterns of meeting the guideline, particularly for overlapping ages 14-17 years. METHODS: Nationally representative surveys, 2016-2017 NSCH (adult proxy report, 6-17 y) and 2015 and 2017 YRBS (self-report, grades 9-12), assess meeting the guideline of ≥60 minutes of daily moderate to vigorous physical activity. Prevalence and odds ratios were estimated by age group and demographics. RESULTS: For youth aged 14-17 years, 17.4% (95% confidence interval [CI], 16.1-18.7; NSCH) and 27.0% (95% CI, 25.6-28.5; YRBS) met the guideline. 25.9% (95% CI, 24.8-27.2) aged 6-13 years (NSCH) and 26.6% (95% CI, 25.3-28.0) in grades 9 to 12 (YRBS) met the guideline. Across surveys, fewer females (P < .001) and Asian youth (P < .001 except among NSCH 14-17 y) met the guideline. CONCLUSIONS: Neither methodology nor estimates for meeting the aerobic guideline are similar across surveys, so age continuity between juxtaposed estimates should not be assumed by magnitude nor age for separate Healthy People 2030 youth physical activity objectives.

CSHCN with hearing difficulties: Disparities in access and quality of care.

BACKGROUND: Hearing difficulties (HD) affect a sizable minority of children in the United States and can have a significant impact on child development. Children with HD may face barriers around language development, communication abilities, learning, and social interactions, which in turn can affect multiple aspects of their lives. OBJECTIVE/HYPOTHESIS: Little is known about the extent to which children with HD have access to a system of care and we hypothesize that this population may experience significant unmet needs. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, using bivariate and multivariable regression models, we analyzed data from the 2009/2010 National Survey of Children with Special Health Care Needs (NS-CSHCN). Selected survey items were used to assess health and healthcare characteristics of CSHCN with some level of HD (n = 2,315) compared to those without HD (n = 37,851). The study sample included 40,242 CSHCN aged 0-17 years, whose caregivers responded to the survey. RESULTS: Approximately 694,000 CSHCN in the U.S. were reported to have any level of HD, representing 6.3% of the CSHCN population. Compared to CSHCN without HD, those with HD were less likely to have access to a medical home, community services, or have adequate health insurance. CONCLUSIONS: Significant deficits in medical home access, adequate insurance, and accessibility of community-based services are evident for CSHCN with HD. Families having knowledge of how and when to access community services and partner with providers in their child's health care is important for the overall health and wellbeing of this subpopulation of CSHCN.

Levels of Maternal Care in the United States: An Assessment of Publicly Available State Guidelines.

Background: Recent increases in maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity highlight the need to improve systems for safe maternity care. We sought to identify whether publicly available state perinatal guidelines incorporate levels of maternal care (LoMC) criteria. Materials and Methods: We searched websites for 50 U.S. states and Washington, D.C. for LoMC guidelines. The Health Resources and Services Administration's Title V Program directors confirmed/updated search results through January 2018. Data abstracted included: (1) definitions of levels; (2) provider types; (3) facility capabilities and services; and (4) programmatic responsibilities as promoted in the 2015 Society for Maternal/Fetal Medicine and American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists consensus document on LoMC. Results: LoMC guidelines were identified for 17 states; 12 defined four levels and five defined three levels of care. In Level I, 14/17 states specified obstetric provider availability for every birth and five specified an available surgeon to perform emergency cesareans. Fourteen states specified the availability of blood bank and laboratory services at all times. In the highest level (III or IV), 16/17 state guidelines specified a maternal/fetal medicine specialist; all but two specified anesthesia providers or services. Ten states referenced availability of an onsite intensive care unit in their highest level. All 17 state guidelines specified maternal transport and referral systems. Conclusions: Only one-third of states have publicly available perinatal guidelines incorporating LoMC criteria. Definitions, criteria, and nomenclature varied. Lack of LoMC guidelines with standardized criteria limits monitoring and evaluation of regionalized systems of maternal care.