Infographics

Parent strategies to reduce or stop pacifier use and thumb-sucking in kids age 1-6. Pacifiers: allow only at bedtime, 32%; hide or "lose" it, 31%; tell child they're too big for it, 19%. Thumb-sucking: move hand from mouth, 61%; remind child to stop, 54%; tell child they're too big for it, 25%. Source: C.S. Mott Children's Hospital National Poll on Children's Health, 2025.
Helpful or a habit? Parent views on pacifiers and thumb-sucking
Parent approaches to talking about puberty with kids age 7-12: proactive, 54%; only when asked, 41%; trying to avoid it, 5%. Source: C.S. Mott Children's Hospital National Poll on Children's Health, 2025
Approaching puberty: Talking with tweens about body changes
Parent confidence in state/federal government's ability to handle bird flu. Removing infected animals/animal products from food supply: 18% very confident, 57% somewhat confident, 25% not confident. Informing people which products should be recalled/thrown out: 22% very confident, 55% somewhat confident, 23% not confident. Preventing spread to humans: 12% very confident, 54% somewhat confident, 34% not confident.
Parents unsure about bird flu
Parent views on the minimum age for non-surgical cosmetic procedures: greater than 18 years: 35%; 18 years: 21%; 16-17 years: 27%; less than or equal to 15 years: 17%. Source: C.S. Mott Children's Hospital National Poll on Children's Health, 2025
Teens too young for non-surgical cosmetic procedures?
Parents report more dental problems among children who regularly perform less than 2 oral hygiene practices. Source: C.S. Mott Children's Hospital National Poll on Children's Health, 2025
Oral hygiene is key to healthy smiles
Difficulties with consistent discipline: % of parents of kids age 1-5 years noting difficulty. Child-related: too young to understand, 49%; strategies don't always work, 42%; don't want tantrum in public, 31%. Parent-related: get too irritated, 25%; react before thinking, 25%; too tired to be consistent, 24%. Source: C.S. Mott Children's Hospital National Poll on Children's Health, 2024.
Naughty or nice? Parent views on disciplining young children
Parent strategies to help children manage anger, among parents of children 6-12 years old: cool off (e.g., count to 10), 68%; talk about cause of anger, 58%; take a time out, 53%. Source: C.S. Mott Children's Hospital National Poll on Children's Health, 2024
Helping children manage anger and frustration
Parent-reported reasons that teens use protein supplements. To build muscle: 56% among parents of teen boys, 18% among parents of teen girls. To improve sports performance: 54% among parents of teen boys, 64% among parents of teen girls. As meal replacements: 18% among parents of teen boys, 34% among parents of teen girls.
Teens and protein
Parent actions to help their kids make friends. For younger children (kindergarten-4th grade): arranging playdates, 45%; befriending other parents, 30%; allowing use of social media, 10%. For older children (5th-8th grade): arranging playdates, 37%; befriending other parents, 17%; allowing use of social media, 23%. Source: C.S. Mott Children's Hospital National Poll on Children's Health, 2024
Facilitating friendships: Parents' role
Parent efforts to reduce the risk of hereditary conditions in their children. Encourage healthy diet, 51%; encourage enough exercise, 48%; watch for signs, 42%; ask for testing, 26%; talk to relatives, 9%. Source: C.S. Mott Children's Hospital National Poll on Children's Health, 2024.
Using family health history to improve child health