Definition: Estimated percentage of children ages 0-17 who receive and do not receive health care in a well-functioning system of services, by special health care needs status (e.g., in 2024, 11.4% of California children with special health care needs (CSHCN) received care in a well-functioning health system).
Data Source: U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, National Survey of Children's Health (Nov. 2025).
Footnote: In these estimates, receipt of care in a well-functioning health system is measured by assessing whether, for children ages 0-17, (i) the child has adequate and continuous insurance coverage, (ii) the child receives medical and dental preventive care, (iii) the child has no unmet needs or barriers to accessing services, (iv) the child receives care within a medical home, (v) the child's family feels like a partner in their child's care, and, for adolescents ages 12-17, (vi) the child receives preparation for the transition to adult health care. A medical home is a model of delivering primary care that is accessible, family centered, continuous, comprehensive, coordinated, compassionate, and culturally effective. For more information, visit the American Academy of Pediatrics. Children with special health care needs (CSHCN) have or are at increased risk for a chronic physical, developmental, behavioral, or emotional condition and require health and related services of a type or amount beyond that required by children generally. These estimates are based on a survey of the population and are subject to both sampling and nonsampling error. For more information, see https://www.childhealthdata.org/learn-about-the-nsch/NSCH.
