Many health habits that affect well-being later in life begin during childhood and adolescence (teenage years). Childhood is a key time for growth and development, and early experiences can have lifelong effects. Regular checkups and developmental screenings help find health problems early, when treatment works best. Healthy habits like good nutrition, regular physical activity, and enough sleep can prevent illness and injury. Safe, stable, and supportive relationships at home, in schools, and in communities are essential for children’s health and well-being and can improve outcomes over time.
Teens face higher risks for preventable problems, such as substance use and sexually transmitted infections. They also go through physical, emotional, and mental changes that affect their health. Encouraging healthy behaviors—like getting preventive care, avoiding excessive screen time, having regular physical activity, eating a healthy diet, and getting enough sleep—can help teens stay safe and healthy.
The information and data on this page define childhood as ages 2-11 and adolescence as ages 12-18, or youth in grades 9 -12.
See the “Related Data” section for additional insight into children and adolescent health topics.
- In 2024, Hispanic/Latino children under age 18 were 12% less likely to have used prescription medication in the past year than U.S. children overall.
- From 2022 to 2023, Hispanic/Latino children ages 2 to 5 were 11% less likely to have no more than an hour of daily screen time than all U.S. children in that age group.
- In 2023, Hispanic/Latino high school students were 2% more likely than students nationwide to get at least eight hours of sleep.
Additional Resources
MedlinePlus
- Child Development (in Spanish)
- Teen/Adolescent Development (in Spanish)
- Children’s Health (in Spanish)
- Teen/Adolescent Health (in Spanish)
Further Reading
Prescription Medication Use
| Prescription medication use in the past 12 months for children under age 18 years, percentage, 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Hispanic | Total Population | Ratio (Hispanic / Total) |
| 36.1 | 41.0 | 0.88 |
| Students in grades 9-12 who currently take prescription pain medicine without a doctor's prescription or differently than how a doctor told them to use it, percentage, 2023 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Hispanic | Total Population | Ratio (Hispanic / Total) | |
| Male | 3.6 | 3.3 | 1.09 |
| Female | 7.5 | 5.8 | 1.29 |
| Both Sexes | 5.5 | 4.4 | 1.25 |
| Students in grades 9-12 who ever took prescription pain medicine without a doctor's prescription or differently than how a doctor told them to use it, percentage, 2023 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Hispanic | Total Population | Ratio (Hispanic / Total) | |
| Male | 10.8 | 9.3 | 1.16 |
| Female | 15.4 | 13.8 | 1.12 |
| Both Sexes | 13.2 | 11.6 | 1.14 |
Screen Time
| Children ages 2 to 5 years with total screen time of no more than 1 hour a day, percentage, 2022-2023 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Hispanic | Total Population | Ratio (Hispanic / Total) |
| 39.8 | 44.8 | 0.89 |
| Students in grades 9-12 who used social media at least several times a day, percentage, 2023 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Hispanic | Total Population | Ratio (Hispanic / Total) | |
| Male | 75.9 | 72.9 | 1.04 |
| Female | 80.1 | 81.8 | 0.98 |
| Both Sexes | 78.0 | 77.0 | 1.01 |
| Teens ages 12-17 years who have more than 2 hours of screen time per day, percentage, 2021-2023 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Hispanic | Total Population | Ratio (Hispanic / Total) |
| 90.9 | 90.9 | 1.00 |
Sleep
| Teens ages 12-17 years who complain about being tired most days or every day, percentage, 2021-2023 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Hispanic | Total Population | Ratio (Hispanic / Total) |
| 35.4 | 39.7 | 0.89 |
| Teens ages 12-17 years who take naps or fall asleep during the day most days or every day, percentage, 2021-2023 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Hispanic | Total Population | Ratio (Hispanic / Total) |
| 20.7 | 18.3 | 1.13 |
| Students in grades 9-12 who got 8 or more hours of sleep, percentage, 2023 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Hispanic | Total Population | Ratio (Hispanic / Total) | |
| Male | 25.8 | 24.6 | 1.05 |
| Female | 21.7 | 21.7 | 1.00 |
| Both Sexes | 23.7 | 23.2 | 1.02 |
Related Data
Asthma
Hispanic/Latino youth have higher rates of asthma than U.S. children overall.
Explore more asthma data.
HIV/AIDS
Hispanic/Latino children are diagnosed with HIV infection at the same rate as U.S. children overall.
Explore more HIV/AIDS data.
Immunizations
Hispanic/Latino youth have similar vaccination rates as U.S. children overall.
Explore more immunizations data.
Infant Mortality
Hispanic/Latino infants have lower mortality rates than U.S. infants overall.
Explore more infant mortality data.
Mental Health
Hispanic/Latino adolescents have higher rates of suicide than U.S. adolescents overall.
Explore more mental health data.
Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Hispanic/Latino children are diagnosed with a neurodevelopmental disorder less often than U.S. children overall.
Explore more neurodevelopmental disorders data.
Nutrition
Hispanic/Latino adolescents report eating vegetables less often but fruits more often than U.S. adolescents overall.
Explore more nutrition data.
Obesity
Hispanic/Latino adolescents are more likely to be obese than U.S. adolescents overall.
Explore more obesity data.
Physical Activity
Hispanic/Latino youth are less likely to meet physical activity guidelines compared to U.S. youth overall.
Explore more physical activity data.
Smoking, Vaping, and Tobacco Use
Hispanic/Latino adolescents are about as likely to use tobacco products as U.S. adolescents overall.
Explore more smoking, vaping, and tobacco use data.
Substance Use
Hispanic/Latino youth are more likely to use illicit drugs compared to U.S. youth overall.
Explore more substance use data.
Date Last Reviewed: March 2026