Functional Health among Schoolage Latino Children

Barbara Zsembik, University of Florida
Amy K Johnson, University of Florida

Using data from the 1997-2000 National Health Interview Surveys, we examine functional health among schoolage Latino children. Functional health limitations are problems in cognitive, emotional or physiological functions or structures that result from diseases, disorders, and traumas, and may yield educational achievement disability. Health limitations are measured as the prevalence of learning disabilities (LD), attention deficit disorder (ADD), and activity limitation due a chronic medical, emotional or mental condition. Mexican-origin children have lower levels of cognitive and activity limitations than white children. In contrast, Latino children of Caribbean origin (Puerto Rican, Cuban and Dominican) have prevalence levels equivalent to whites. Children who have major health conditions and lower levels of SES have a higher odds of a functional health limitation. More-acculturated children and children who do not live with both parents are also more likely to be diagnosed with either ADD or LD, and to have activity limitation.