Using Data to Inform Policy: Six-Year Trends in Children's Health Indicators as Measured in the California Health Interview Survey

The California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) is a biennial random-digit-dial survey that began in 2001. Each sample has about 45,000 households, including 5,000 children ages 5-11. Data were analyzed from 2001, 2003, 2005 and 2007 to identify trends in diet, physical activity and access to care. The large sample sizes allow for analysis by gender, income level, and race/ethnicity (White, Latino, Asian, African American and American Indian/Alaska Native). Key health indicators were analyzed for changes over the six-year period, including measures of Healthy People 2010 objectives (HP). Trends were tracked for BMI, fruit, vegetable, soda, and fast food consumption; measures of physical activity and sedentary behavior; currently uninsured, usual source of medical care, and dental visit past 12 months. Findings show an overall positive trend on most indicators, but there are significant differences by income and race/ethnicity. For example, low-income children are more likely than higher income children to walk or bike to school, but are also more likely to be overweight and have poorer dietary habits. Asian children continuously have the lowest rate of fruit and vegetable consumption, and Latino and African American children have the highest rates of soda and fast food intake. These findings have been used by state and local governments and organizations to develop and influence policies related to children's health in California. CHIS data are also useful to pubic health researchers and practitioners nationwide because of the survey's large, diverse and biennial samples.