title: What are parents worried about? Health problems and health concerns for children.
abstract: Patient-centered care requires pediatricians to address parents' health concerns, but their willingness to solicit parental concerns may be limited by uncertainty about which topics will be raised. The authors conducted surveys of parents to identify current health-related issues of concern.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants rated 30 items as health problems for children in their community (large, medium, small, or no problem) and volunteered concerns for their own children.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 1119 parents completed the survey. Allergies (69%), lack of exercise (68%), asthma (65%), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (65%), Internet safety (63%), obesity (59%), smoking (58%), and bullying (57%) were identified as important problems (large or medium) with variation among demographic subgroups. Concerns for their own children included healthy nutrition; obesity; lack of exercise, healthy growth and development; safety and injury prevention; and mental health issues.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Parents' health concerns for children are varied and may differ from those routinely addressed during well-child care.
authors: Washington University, St Louis, MO 63110, USA. jgarbutt@dom.wustl.edu
authors: Jane M
authors: JM
authors: Garbutt
authors: Erin
authors: E
authors: Leege
authors: Randall
authors: R
authors: Sterkel
authors: Shannon
authors: S
authors: Gentry
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Wallendorf
authors: Robert C
authors: RC
authors: Strunk
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002648:Child; D002662:Child Health Services; D002669:Child Welfare; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010290:Parents; D010372:Pediatrics; D011314:Preventive Health Services