Poll Reports

Vaping is hard to detect, yet half of parents think they would definitely know if their child was vaping. 4 of 5 parents think their child understands the health risks of vaping. About half of parents support suspension from school or school activities if their child was caught vaping at school.

9 in 10 parents agree that running a low-grade fever helps a child’s body fight off infection. 2 in 3 parents are very confident they know whether their child needs medication to reduce fever. 1 in 3 parents would give fever-reducing medication for elevated temperature below 100.4°.

Nearly half of parents schedule well visits with their child’s regular provider even if they have a long wait for an appointment. 1 in 3 parents believe their child is more likely to follow advice if it comes from a provider their child knows well. 3 in 4 parents recall the provider giving feedback on questionnaires completed about their child’s health and behavior.

9 in 10 parents think teens can believe in God or a higher power without being involved in organized religion. Only 1 in 3 parents say their teen attends religious services regularly. 3 in 4 parents believe participating in religious services helps teens connect with their family history and traditions.

1 in 7 parents have not talked about vaccines with their child’s regular provider in the past two years. Among parents who discussed vaccines with their child’s regular doctor, 4 in 5 say the doctor was open to their questions and concerns. 1 in 4 parents describe problems getting vaccines for their child in the past two years.

Nearly half of parents have leftover prescription medicine at home. Only 1 in 5 parents think it is unsafe to take medicine past the expiration date. 1 in 7 parents have flushed expired or leftover medicine down the toilet or sink.

2 out of 3 parents say their child is self-conscious about some aspect of their appearance. 1 in 5 parents say their teens avoid things like being in photos due to being self-conscious about their appearance. 1 in 3 parents say their child has been treated unkindly because of their appearance.

Half of parents say their child walks through the car drop-off or pick-up area when going to or from school. Over one-third of parents say drivers not paying attention or speeding are major problems around their child’s school. 1 in 3 parents say schools should suspend or ban parents who do not follow traffic rules from entering the school parking area.

Only half of parents recognize that screen time has a major impact on their child’s eye health. Most parents overlook simple actions to protect children’s eyes, such as wearing protective eyewear when playing sports and sunglasses when outside. 1 in 7 parents say their child has not had a vision test or seen an eye doctor in the past 2 years.

2 in 3 parents say their child always follows the rules when using sparklers. 1 in 5 parents would allow their child age 10 or younger to help set off fireworks. Only 1 in 5 parents said children sat at least 100 feet away from where aerial fireworks were being set off.