Published to provide reliable and current data for public health professionals and other individuals in the public and private sector to inform policymaking, this book compiles secondary data for 50 health status indicators and service needs of America's children. The book provides both a graphic and textual summary of the data and addresses long-term trends where applicable. Some statistics reveal the extent of progress toward "Healthy People 2000" goals or a reduction in the prevalence of unhealthful behaviors, while others reveal burgeoning or escalating health problems of women, children, and youth. Following an introduction that discusses trends and issues in children's health, the book has six sections : (1) "Anniversary Section," which summarizes data over the last 60 years; (2) "Population Characteristics," including children in poverty, working mothers, child care, school dropouts, and family composition; (3) "Health Status," discussing the health issue of infants, children, and adolescents; (4) "Health Services and Utilization," including immunizations, health care financing, physician and hospital care issues; (5) "State-Specific Data," including mortality, birthweight, perinatal and prenatal care, and children per pediatrician; and (6) "City Data," including infant mortality, birthweight, and prenatal care. Contains 50 references. (AMC)