A new poll from the University of Michigan shows parents have a growing concern about childhood obesity and illegal drug use. The University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital has been asking parents for five years what’s their greatest health concern when it comes to their children.
Obesity has topped the list since it started. But this year illegal drug use tied for the top spot.
Matt Davis is an associate professor at the U of M Medical School. He says parents want solutions to obesity and drug use.
“These issues are on the minds of the public. And that to us suggests…that the public is asking the medical and public health communities to do something…and do something now about these issues.”
Davis says solutions must come from a variety of sources to be effective.
Other concerns topping the list include internet safety, bullying and teen pregnancy.
Here's a breakdown of the poll numbers:
1. Childhood obesity, 33%
2. Drug abuse, 33%
3. Smoking and tobacco use, 25%
4. Teen pregnancy, 24%
5. Bullying, 24%
6. Internet safety, 23%
7. Stress, 22%
8. Alcohol abuse, 20%
9. Driving accidents, 20%
10. Sexting, 20%
Adults’ perceptions of top health problems for children in their own communities differ substantially by race/ethnicity.
Top 10 health concerns for children in 2011 by race/ethnicity:
Blacks:
1. Drug abuse, 44%
2. Childhood obesity, 44%
3. Smoking and tobacco use, 36%
4. Gun related injuries, 36%
5. School violence, 35%
6. Unsafe neighborhoods, 34%
7. Alcohol abuse, 33%
8. Teen pregnancy, 33%
9. Sexually transmitted infections, 31%
10. Sexting, 31%
Hispanics:
1. Drug abuse, 49%
2. Teen pregnancy, 44%
3. Childhood obesity, 44%
4. Child abuse and neglect, 38%
5. Stress,38%
6. Driving accidents, 37%
7. Bullying, 37%
8. Smoking and tobacco use, 35%
9. Internet safety, 34%
10. Sexually transmitted infections, 33%
Whites:
1. Childhood obesity, 30%
2. Drug abuse, 28%
3. Smoking and tobacco use, 22%
4. Internet safety, 21%
5. Bullying, 21%
6. Teen pregnancy, 19%
7. Stress, 18%
8. Alcohol abuse, 17%
9. Sexting, 16%
10. Driving accidents, 16%
