Children with Health Insurance

from Healthy Places, Healthy People Report, 2012

References

Description of Indicator

This indicator measures the proportion of children under 18 years of age who are covered by health insurance.

Why is this Important to Health?

Children with health insurance are more likely to have a place for regular medical care, more likely to visit their doctor, more likely to use health care services, and less likely to use an emergency room as their primary source of medical care than children who are not covered by health insurance (1). Insured children are also at lower risk of unnecessary hospitalization and are more likely to be correctly diagnosed (2). Access to health care is particularly important for economically disadvantaged children, who may be more likely to suffer from common medical and developmental problems, such as asthma or learning disabilities (1).

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services operates a website called Insure Kids Now! that provides a clearinghouse of information for parents and professionals on how to connect children to medical insurance.

Resources

Location

Laguna Beach Rancho Santa Margarita Newport Beach Fountain Valley Brea Mission Viejo Dana Point Irvine Yorba Linda San Clemente Seal Beach Huntington Beach Placentia Laguna Hills Laguna Niguel Lake Forest Aliso Viejo United States California Westminster Tustin Orange County Cypress Buena Park Garden Grove Orange Costa Mesa La Habra Anaheim Fullerton San Juan Capistrano Stanton Santa Ana 99% 97% 97% 97% 97% 97% 95% 95% 95% 95% 95% 94% 94% 94% 93% 93% 93% 91% 91% 90% 90% 90% 89% 89% 89% 88% 88% 88% 88% 87% 86% 85% 82%

Percent of Children Under 18 with Health Insurance by City, 2008-2010

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2008-2010 (http://fact nder2.census.gov)