The C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital in Michigan, USA, complied a poll on children’s top health concerns. American parents of at least one child age 0-18 years living in their household, were asked to give their opinion on what do they think were the biggest threats concerning their children’s health. Data is shared in 3 groups: information given by white parents, black parents, and Hispanic parents.
Here is the countdown:
10. COVID-19 (48%)
It was the highlight of our lives in 2020 and it will probably be so even in 2021. Scientists and physicians have declared that children are the less vulnerable group pertaining to the virus, however, it amounts a disturbance for parents, especially for black parents (73%) who ranked it as the second-biggest deal for their children. For Hispanics, this was the eighth (64%) top health concern while to white parents Covid-19 is not included in the top 10.
9. Drinking or using drugs (50%)
Drugs have been a major issue since they were discovered and until now, they still impose high concern among society, even in the meantime of one of the worst pandemics of all times. Hispanics rank this problem 5th (67%) on the list, Black parents estimate it the 8th (62%), and white people the 10th (41%).
8. Smoking/vaping (52%)
For black parents smoking is not included in the top 10 list, however, for Hispanics this is the 4th biggest concern (67%) and for white parents, it is ranked No. 8 (46%).
7. Stress/anxiety (54%)
This health issue is interlinked with other health concerns such as depression, unhealthy eating, bullying, lack of physical activity, etc. which will be described in the following lines. They stimulate each-other, that is why we find them go hand in hand. Hispanic parents rank it No. 9 while white parents rank it 4th.
6. Lack of physical activity (54%)
Lack of physical activity has become wider and wider in the new era because of technological transformation, improvement of transportation and particularly due to the recent lockdown. This is ranked No. 5 by white parents, while to other categories it is not one of their top ten problems.
5. Depression/suicide (54%)
It is ranked by both Hispanic and white parents No. 7, whereas black parents do not mention it.
4. Unhealthy eating (59%)
It is ranked by both black and white parents No. 4, whereas Hispanic parents do not mention it.
3. Internet safety (62%)
It is ranked by both Hispanic and white parents No. 3, whereas black parents estimate it to be the 5th biggest concern.
2. Bullying/cyberbullying (62%)
It is ranked by both Hispanic and white parents No. 2, whilst for black parents it is No. 6.
1. Overuse of social media/screen time (72%)
This is No. 1 health concern for Hispanic and white parents. Overuse of screen time is a threat to anyone. It is the root of dry eyes, blurred vision, headaches, weight gain, chronic neck and back pain, poor sleep, and lack of concentration.
Nevertheless No. 1 health concern for black parents was RACISM. This is understandable following the “Black Lives Matter” protests peaked on 6 June 2020, which according to the New York Times may be the largest movement in US history.
How about you? In your opinion which is the biggest health concern for your child? You can share your views with us by commenting down below.