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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion

Increase the proportion of children and adolescents with communication disorders who have seen a specialist in the past year — HOSCD‑05 Data Methodology and Measurement

On this page:  About the National Data  |  Methodology  |  History

About the National Data

Data

Data Source:  National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), CDC/NCHS

Baseline: 59.7 percent of children and adolescents aged 3 to 17 years with communication disorders of voice, speech, or language saw a health care specialist for evaluation or treatment in the past 12 months in 2012

Target: 63.4 percent

Numerator
Number of children and adolescents aged 3 to 17 years with voice, speech, or language problems who have seen a health care provider for evaluation or treatment in the past 12 months.
Denominator
Number of children and adolescents aged 3 to 17 years with voice, speech, or language problems in the past 12 months.
Target-setting method
Minimal statistical significance
Target-setting method details
Minimal statistical significance, assuming the same standard error for the target as for the baseline.
Target-setting method justification
Trend data were not available for this objective. The standard error was used to calculate a target based on minimal statistical significance, assuming the same standard error for the target as for the baseline. This method was used because it was a statistically significant improvement from the baseline and the Healthy People 2030 Workgroup Subject Matter Experts expected the data to be difficult to change.

Methodology

Questions used to obtain the national baseline data

(For additional information, please visit the data source page linked above.)

From the 2012 National Health Interview Survey Child Voice, Speech, (Swallowing), and Language Supplement:

Numerator and Denominator:
DURING THE PAST 12 MONTHS, has {S.C. name} had any problems or difficulties with {his/her} VOICE, such as too weak, hoarse, or strained that lasted for a week or longer?
  1. Yes
  2. No
  3. Refused
  4. Don't know
DURING THE PAST 12 MONTHS, has {S.C. name} had a problem speaking, such as making speech sounds correctly or stuttering that lasted for a week or longer?
  1. Yes
  2. No
  3. Refused
  4. Don't know
DURING THE PAST 12 MONTHS, has {S.C. name} had a problem learning, using, or understanding words or sentences that lasted for a week or longer?
  1. Yes
  2. No
  3. Refused
  4. Don't know
Numerator:
DURING THE PAST 12 MONTHS, did {S.C. name} receive speech language therapy or other intervention services for {his/her} voice problems?
  1. Yes
  2. No
  3. Refused
  4. Don't know
DURING THE PAST 12 MONTHS, did {S.C. name} receive speech language therapy or other intervention services for {his/her} speech problems?
  1. Yes
  2. No
  3. Refused
  4. Don't know
DURING THE PAST 12 MONTHS, did {S.C. name} receive speech language therapy or other intervention services for {his/her} problems using, learning or understanding words or sentences?
  1. Yes
  2. No
  3. Refused
  4. Don't know
Who provided this for {S.C. name}'s voice or swallowing; or speech; or language problems?
  1. Speech-Language Pathologist
  2. Early Intervention Specialist/Program Occupational/Physical Therapist
  3. Ear, Nose & Throat Doctor (ENT, or otolaryngologist) Audiologist or Hearing Aid Specialist
  4. Pediatrician or Family Practice Doctor
  5. Neurologist or Other Specialist
  6. Nutritionist or Dietician
  7. Psychiatrist or Psychologist
  8. Other
  9. Refused
  10. Don't know

Methodology notes

Definition: For purposes of this objective, a "health care specialist" will be one or more of the following: (i) Speech-Language Pathologist; (ii) Early Intervention Specialist; (iii) Occupational or Physical Therapist; (iv) Ear, Nose & Throat Doctor (ENT, or otolaryngologist); (v) Audiologist or Hearing Aid Specialist. The remaining service providers do not qualify (e.g., licensure concerns) as appropriate for evaluation and treatment of voice, speech, and language disorders.

History

Comparable HP2020 objective
Retained, which includes core objectives that are continuing from Healthy People 2020 with no change in measurement.