Geographic Differences in Parental Perception of Child Health

Abstract

As part of a larger study on air pollution and pediatric health, parents at three schools in Ohio completed a Child Health Questionnaire (CHQ). The CHQ has been proven to be a valid instrument to use in assessment of health perception. One of the schools was located in an urban area, one in a suburban area, and one in a rural area. Statistical analysis shows that parents in the predominantly low-income, African-American school perceive their child's health to be worse than parents with children in the other two schools, although no significant differences in reported health conditions among the children were found. Urban, minority parents may perceive their children's health differently due to availability of social networks, location to polluting facilities, and level of parental education. This article is intended to begin discussion about why there may be geographic differences in parental perception of children's health.