Did you know? Facts on Children’s Health in America

• 7.5 million children under the age of 18 are uninsured. (Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Income, Poverty and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2009)
• 1 in 3 American kids and teens are overweight or obese. (Source: American Heart Association).
• African American and Latino children are at higher risk for being overweight or obese.
• In 2008, 16.7 million (22.5%) children lived in food insecure households. (Source: Feeding America).
• The infant mortality rate (deaths per 1,000 births before the age of 1) in the United States is the second highest compared to 30 industrialized countries. The rate is the highest among African-American newborns. (Source: UNICEF).
• Tooth decay is the most common childhood disease. (Source: The Pew Center on the States).
• Of the 4 million children born each year, one-quarter will have at least one cavity by the time they reach kindergarten and one-half by second grade.  (Source: Children’s Dental Health Project).