Indicators: How Can You Measure Progress?

Policymakers can measure progress toward the desired result of healthy children by tracking a number of key indicators:  

• Children who have one or more emotional, behavioral or developmental conditions: percentage of children ages 2 to 17 with a parent who reports that a doctor has told them their child has autism, developmental delays, depression or anxiety, add/adhd or behavioral/conduct problems.  

• Childhood obesity: Percentage of children ages 10 to 17 with a body mass index (BMI) determined to be overweight or obese.

• Births to teens: Birth rates for teenagers ages 15-19.

•  Child abuse and neglect for young children:  Number and rate per 1,000 children of children under age six who are the subjects of substantiated or indicated maltreatment reports.