2025 Children's of Alabmama Community Health Needs Assessment

However, since the COVID-19 pandemic, parental scrutiny around vaccines has increased and may result in reversals of both vaccines and the rate of infectious diseases. Broadly, the community survey rankings are corroborated by external data and rankings. Alabama’s child well-being metrics lag national averages in mental health support, obesity, and poverty.

Table 9. Top Health Issues, Survey vs. External Data Issue

Percent Ranking Issue in the Top 3/Ranking #1

External Metric

Source

alavoices.org

Mental/Behavioral Health

73.5% / 37% 30,000 children are receiving treatment for serious mental health issues. Provider Access: 797:1 people per mental health provider statewide

Healthcare Access

51.6% /19% Many rural counties lack pediatric services.

alavoices.org

Child Abuse/Trauma 47.9% /14% 10.6 per 1,000 children with indicated abuse/neglect

alavoices.org

Childhood Obesity

36.0% / 7% 22% of children aged 10–17 are obese.

tfah.org

Accidental Injury

36.3% / 8% Injuries: Unintentional injuries are a leading cause of child deaths. Jefferson County saw 387 non-fatal pediatric gunshot injuries in six months of 2023.

jcdh.org

alavoices.org

Childhood Hunger

32.4% / 6% Food Insecurity: 23.3% of AL children in food-insecure households

Children’s of Alabama, 2025 CHNA

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