The Health of Latino Children and Families in California

The health of Latino children and families is of increasing importance to California and the nation. The factors affecting Latino children’s health today will have lifelong consequences for their own health, and for the future well-being of California’s population and economy. Assuring that Latino children and their families have access to high-quality health care and the resources necessary for them to benefit from that care may require new policies and approaches.   Recognizing that children’s health and well-being rest upon a foundation built not only on their access to quality medical care, but also on their home environment and neighborhood context, is vital to viewing a child as a whole person. This “whole child” approach is used to inform policy to support healthy development.   This report is intended to be used by policymakers, community, consumer and family leaders, health care professionals, educators and families themselves to identify opportunities to leverage strengths and address risks of Latino children and families to ensure a healthier future for Cali­fornia.
Data from the 2011-2012 California Health Interview Survey were used in this report.

Publication Authors:

• Lucile Packard Foundation for Children's Health