Poll Reports

Nearly half of parents schedule well visits with their child’s regular provider even if they have a long wait for an appointment. 1 in 3 parents believe their child is more likely to follow advice if it comes from a provider their child knows well. 3 in 4 parents recall the provider giving feedback on questionnaires completed about their child’s health and behavior.

9 in 10 parents think teens can believe in God or a higher power without being involved in organized religion. Only 1 in 3 parents say their teen attends religious services regularly. 3 in 4 parents believe participating in religious services helps teens connect with their family history and traditions.

1 in 7 parents have not talked about vaccines with their child’s regular provider in the past two years. Among parents who discussed vaccines with their child’s regular doctor, 4 in 5 say the doctor was open to their questions and concerns. 1 in 4 parents describe problems getting vaccines for their child in the past two years.

Nearly half of parents have leftover prescription medicine at home. Only 1 in 5 parents think it is unsafe to take medicine past the expiration date. 1 in 7 parents have flushed expired or leftover medicine down the toilet or sink.

2 out of 3 parents say their child is self-conscious about some aspect of their appearance. 1 in 5 parents say their teens avoid things like being in photos due to being self-conscious about their appearance. 1 in 3 parents say their child has been treated unkindly because of their appearance.

Half of parents say their child walks through the car drop-off or pick-up area when going to or from school. Over one-third of parents say drivers not paying attention or speeding are major problems around their child’s school. 1 in 3 parents say schools should suspend or ban parents who do not follow traffic rules from entering the school parking area.

Only half of parents recognize that screen time has a major impact on their child’s eye health. Most parents overlook simple actions to protect children’s eyes, such as wearing protective eyewear when playing sports and sunglasses when outside. 1 in 7 parents say their child has not had a vision test or seen an eye doctor in the past 2 years.

2 in 3 parents say their child always follows the rules when using sparklers. 1 in 5 parents would allow their child age 10 or younger to help set off fireworks. Only 1 in 5 parents said children sat at least 100 feet away from where aerial fireworks were being set off.

Less than half of parents rate general safety policies as essential to their camp decision. 1 in 12 parents report that a summer camp would need to accommodate their child’s health issue. Only half of parents feel very confident they can tell if a summer camp is safe and healthy for their child.

3 in 5 parents say it's hard to get their child to eat a well-balanced diet. Half of parents report their child regularly takes a dietary supplement. Parents from lower-income households are less likely to give their child a dietary supplement or discuss supplement use with their child's doctor.