Definition: Estimated percentage of children ages 0-17 with special health care needs, by complexity of health care needs (e.g., in 2024, 78% of California children with special health care needs had more complex needs).
Data Source: U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, National Survey of Children's Health (Nov. 2025).
Footnote: Due to changes in methodology, these estimates should not be compared with data from earlier years. 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. CSHCN with 'less complex needs' experience health conditions that are managed primarily through prescription medication; children with 'more complex needs' require additional care, services, or therapies in order to manage their conditions. 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.
