Results from a University of Iowa study say children in Iowa feel healthier, happier and safer than the national average.
Study goals were to assess the health and well-being of children and families in Iowa by asking more than 165 questions of parents and guardians of randomly-selected children.
“Overall, children in Iowa appear to be healthy and well adjusted. Iowa continues to be one of the nation’s leaders in ensuring high health insurance coverage rates and access to medical services rates for children,” said the study website.
Study results said Iowa has one of the highest rates of health insurance coverage in the country at 97%. Ninety percent of Iowa children are rated in excellent or very good health.
The study conclusions cite a tendency by parents in Iowa to support activities that lead to positive development for young children.
The study did say emergency room use for non-urgent situations remained an issue, with one in four children receiving care in an emergency room in the past year and ¾ of those health issues could have been handled in a primary care setting.
Study Director Peter Damiano also said low-income children are vulnerable because of disparities they face such as consistent availability of enough food and having a safe and supportive neighborhood.
The survey is conducted every five years.
