Definition
An estimate of the percentage of the population in a predetermined region that is aged under 5 years old, including infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. PRECEDE allows us to view the percentage of the population under 5 years old at various levels of granularity, including within a census tract, within a county, or state-wide.
Context/Impact on Health
According to the US Census Bureau’s 2020 report, the US child population is decreasing and becoming more racially and ethnically diverse. Obtaining information on the child population in the US provides valuable insights into future demographic indicators in the country, as well as potential implications to the labor and education sector. For instance, changes in child population growth can help inform policies to invest more in early education initiatives. Early childhood is a very critical period in growth and development, and exposures at this age can have long-term impacts. At this age, it is important to have proper access to health care services and developmental screenings, promote positive health behaviors, and create safe and stable environments and relationships.
Data Collection Methodology
The American Community Survey (ACS) is a nationwide survey that collects information on the demographic, social, economic, and housing characteristics of the US population. The ACS is an ongoing survey sent to 3.5 million addresses each year. The ACS provides estimates for the percentage of the population younger than five years old in the country at the state, county, and census tract level.
