timing of physician visits

In 2004, 11.8 percent of children under 18 years of age had not seen a physician or other health care professional in the previous year (not including overnight hospitalization, trips to the emergency room, home visits, or dental visits). Older children were more likely than younger children to go without a physician visit. More than 15 percent of 15- to 17-year-olds had not had a physician visit in the previous year, compared to only 5.9 percent of children under 5 years of age.

Across all age groups, Hispanic children were the least likely to have seen a physician in the prior year; non-Hispanic White children were most likely to have seen a physician, except among children under 5 years of age, among whom non-Hispanic Black children were the most likely. At all ages, Hispanic children were approximately twice as likely as non-Hispanic White children to have had no physician visits.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children have eight preventive health care visits in their first year, three in their second year, and at least one per year from middle childhood through adolescence.

> Bar Chart: Children Reported Not to Have Seen a Physician or Other Health Professional in the Past Year, by Age and Race/Ethnicity: 2004