Overall Health of U.S. Children a Mixed Bag

Daniel Armstrong, a professor of pediatrics and psychology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine in Florida, thinks the current recession could negatively affect children's health.

"You have to look at the history of what has happened during other recessions," Armstrong said. "The history tells us that there will be areas that change."

Added economic stress, for example, may increase mental health problems among children, he said. It could also affect health insurance coverage, he added.

"This year, Congress passed SCHIP [State Children's Health Insurance Program], which should provide many more children with health insurance. One of the challenges is that SCHIP requires a state contribution. If states are under severe budget crises, there is no way to be sure that passage of SCHIP bill is going to have any increase in the insured," he said.

More information

To see the full report, visit the Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics.