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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 this objective  |  Methodology  |  History

About this objective

Data

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

National baseline: 48.8 percent of children and adolescents aged 3 to 17 years with communication disorders of voice, speech, swallowing or language saw a health care specialist for evaluation or treatment in the past 12 months in 2022

National target: 63.4 percent

Numerator
Number of children and adolescents aged 3 to 17 years with voice, speech, swallowing 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, swallowing or language problems in the past 12 months.
National target-setting method
Minimal statistical significance
National target-setting method details
Minimal statistical significance, assuming the same standard error for the target as for the baseline.
National 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 2022 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 problems or difficulty with SWALLOWING, such as having difficulty eating solid food, taking pills, or drinking liquids 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
Modified, which includes core objectives that are continuing from Healthy People 2020 but underwent a change in measurement.
Changes between HP2020 and HP2030
In 2025, swallowing disorders were added to language, voice and speech conditions, therefore, the Healthy People 2030 data are not comparable with Healthy People 2020 objective.
Revision History
Revised. 

In 2025, the baseline was revised due to 2019 NHIS redesign and the survey question changes. Swallowing disorders were added to language, voice and speech conditions. The original baseline was changed from 59.7 percent in 2012 to 48.8 percent in 2022. The target was adjusted from 63.4 to 56.0 percent to reflect the revised baseline using the original target-setting method.