Children’s Health Research

NORC produces the foundational data and program evaluations that policymakers rely on to improve health outcomes for children from birth through adolescence.

Children’s health research examines the physical, behavioral, and developmental well-being of children and adolescents from birth through young adulthood, a period that shapes the trajectory of an entire life. Children who lack access to preventive care, early intervention, and healthy environments face higher rates of chronic disease, lower educational attainment, and reduced economic participation as adults. Also, at a national level, gaps in children’s health drive rising health care costs.

NORC at the University of Chicago brings together expertise across the full spectrum of children’s health. We operate landmark national surveys like the National Immunization Surveys and the National Survey of Early Care and Education. We evaluate federal and state programs serving children with complex medical needs. And we pioneer new approaches, such as adapting Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) for adolescent populations, that push the field forward.

From immunization surveillance to youth violence prevention, our work helps federal agencies, state health departments, foundations, and community organizations make evidence-based decisions for children and families. Explore our work below, including children’s health policy & program services, adolescent health & youth well-being, early childhood & family health, and childhood surveys & health data.

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Children’s Health Policy & Program Services

State and federal leaders rely on NORC’s program support, technical assistance, and evaluation services to ensure a strong use of evidence throughout the program lifecycle. We help them understand program performance, strengthen service delivery, and meet reporting requirements for initiatives serving children and families.

Areas of Focus

Medicaid
CHIP
EPSDT

Title V
Maternal and Child Health

Children with Special Health Care Needs
Technical Assistance

Federal Health Programs
State Health Agencies

Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic & Treatment (EPSDT)

Assessing and analyzing state availability, delivery, and provision of EPSDT benefit services

Client:

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

Maternal & Child Health Jurisdictional Survey

A survey to provide data on the health and wellbeing of mothers and children in eight U.S. jurisdictions

Client:

Health Resources and Services Administration’s Maternal and Child Health Bureau

Evaluation of HRSA’s Maternal and Child Health Bureau Discretionary Performance Measures

Developing accurate measures of whether HRSA’s grants are having an impact

Client:

Health Resources and Services Administration

Adolescent Health & Youth Well-Being

Adolescence is a period rich with opportunity, and with risks to young people’s well-being, mental health, and physical safety. NORC conducts surveys and program evaluations that help policymakers and practitioners understand and respond to these challenges in school and community settings, from substance use and mental health to violence prevention and healthy relationship development.

Areas of Focus

Adolescent mental health
Substance use prevention
Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT)

Teen dating violence
Youth violence prevention
Sexual health

Healthy relationships
Trauma-informed care
School-based health services
Youth resilience

National Survey on Teen Relationships and Intimate Violence (STRiV)

A longitudinal social epidemiological study of youth and young adult experiences of aggression and violence, parent/caregiver perspectives, and relevant risk and protective factors

Client:

National Institute of Justice

Positive Adolescent Interpersonal Relationships (PAIR)

Expanding NORC’s STRiV research to reflect the range of adolescent experiences

Client:

National Institute of Justice

Adolescent SBIRT Initiative: Preparing the Health Professional Workforce

Preparing health professionals to screen and intervene for youth substance use and mental health risk

Client:

Conrad N. Hilton Foundation

Early Childhood & Family Health

NORC studies early care and education systems and the unique health needs of children with special health care needs and disabilities. Our research informs policy decisions about child care access, family support, and health services for medically vulnerable children.

Areas of Focus

Parent decision-making
Early care and education
Child care access
Head Start

Children with special health care needs
Children with complex medical needs
Developmental disabilities

Oral health
Family support services
Child care workforce

2024 National Survey of Early Care and Education

Examining early care and education after major disruption

Client:

Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation in the Department of Health and Human Services

Pathways to Advancement in Colorado’s Early Childhood Workforce

Using linked administrative data to understand how education and experience contribute to career growth

Client:

Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation, Administration for Children and Families

Oral Health Among Children with Special Health Care Needs

A mixed-methods study of dental care needs among children with special health care needs

Client:

Lucile Packard Foundation for Children’s Health

Childhood Surveys & Health Data

NORC operates national surveys and data collection efforts that track critical indicators of children’s health, including immunization coverage, food security, and safety. These foundational data products inform public health policy and resource allocation.