QuickStats: Percentage* of Children Having a Problem for Which Prescription Medication Has Been Taken Regularly for ≥3 Months,† by Age Group and Sex — National Health Interview Survey, United States, 2017§

Weekly / November 9, 2018 / 67(44);1251

The figure is a bar chart showing that in 2017, the percentage of children who had a problem for which prescription medication had been taken regularly for ≥3 months increased with increasing age. Among boys the percentage ranged from approximately 8% of those aged 0–4 years to nearly 19% of those aged 12–17. Among girls the percentage ranged from approximately 5% of those aged 0–4 years to 16% of those aged 12–17. Overall, boys were more likely than girls to have had a problem for which prescription medication had been taken regularly for ≥3 months.

* Percentages shown with 95% confidence intervals.

† Based on the response of “yes” to the survey question, “Does [child’s name] now have a problem for which [he/she] has regularly taken prescription medication for at least three months?”

§ Estimates are based on household interviews of a sample of the civilian, noninstitutionalized U.S. population and are derived from the National Health Interview Survey sample child component.

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In 2017, the percentage of children who had a problem for which prescription medication had been taken regularly for ≥3 months increased with increasing age. Among boys the percentage ranged from approximately 8% of those aged 0–4 years to nearly 19% of those aged 12–17. Among girls the percentage ranged from approximately 5% of those aged 0–4 years to 16% of those aged 12–17. Overall, boys were more likely than girls to have had a problem for which prescription medication had been taken regularly for ≥3 months.

Source: National Health Interview Survey, 2017 data. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhis.htm.

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Reported by: Lindsey I. Black, MPH, LBlack1@cdc.gov, 301-458-4548; Patricia Barnes, MA.

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Suggested citation for this article: QuickStats: Percentage of Children Having a Problem for Which Prescription Medication Has Been Taken Regularly for ≥3 Months, by Age Group and Sex — National Health Interview Survey, United States, 2017. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2018;67:1251. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6744a9 .