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Introduction The birth rate for US teenagers reached a historic low in 2009 at 39.1 per 1,000 [1] and yet remains one of the highest teen birth rates among industrialized [...], To study teen birth rates, trends, and sociodemographic and pregnancy characteristics of AI/AN across geographic regions in the US. The birth rate for US teenagers 15-19 years reached a historic low in 2009 (39.1 per 1,000) and yet remains one of the highest teen birth rates among industrialized nations. In the US, teen birth rates among Hispanic, non-Hispanic black, and American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) youth are consistently two to three times the rate among non-Hispanic white teens. Birth certificate data for females younger than age 20 were used to calculate birth rates (live births per 1,000 women) and joinpoint regression to describe trends in teen birth rates by age (< 15, 15-17, 18-19) and region (Aberdeen, Alaska, Bemidji, Billings, California, Nashville, Oklahoma, Portland, Southwest). Birth rates for AI/AN teens varied across geographic regions. Among 15-19-year-old AI/AN, rates ranged from 24.35 (California) to 123.24 (Aberdeen). AI/AN teen birth rates declined from the early 1990s into the 2000s for all three age groups. Among 15-17-year-olds, trends were approximately level during the early 2000s-2007 in six regions and declined in the others. Among 18-19-year-olds, trends were significantly increasing during the early 2000s-2007 in three regions, significantly decreasing in one, and were level in the remaining regions. Among AI/AN, cesarean section rates were lower in Alaska (4.1%) than in other regions (16.4-26.6%). This is the first national study to describe regional variation in AI/AN teen birth rates. These data may be used to target limited resources for teen pregnancy intervention programs and guide research. Keywords American Indian * Alaska Native * Teen pregnancy * Trend analyses

WANG AND COLLEAGUES (1) suggest that many people with mental disorders experience significant delays or never receive mental health care. Clearly, there is a gap between the recognition of mental [...], OBJECTIVE. In this study we identified child and family-level characteristics that were associated with medication treatment for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder using nationally representative survey data. METHODS. National Survey of Children's Health data from 79 264 youth 4 to 17 years of age were used. Data were weighted to adjust for the complex survey design of the National Survey of Children's Health. Gender-specific logistic regression models were generated to identify child and family-level characteristics that were collectively associated with current medication status among youth with a reported diagnosis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. RESULTS. Nationally, 7.8% of youth aged 4 to 17 years had a reported attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder diagnosis, and 4.3% had both a disorder diagnosis and were currently taking medication for the disorder. Current medication treatment among youth with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder was associated with white race, younger age, English spoken in the home, health care coverage, a health care contact within the last year, and reported psychological difficulties. Gender-specific logistic regression models revealed that, together, younger age, higher income, health care coverage, having psychological difficulties, and a health care contact in the past year were associated with medication use among boys with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Among girls with the disorder, younger age, psychological difficulties, fair-to-poor paternal mental health status, and a health care contact within the last year were collectively associated with current medication use. CONCLUSIONS. Regardless of gender, younger age, the presence of psychological difficulties, and a recent health care contact were significantly associated with medication treatment for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. However, additional health care access and income variables among boys and paternal mental health status among girls represented gender-specific factors that were also associated with medication treatment for the disorder. Future studies should characterize how and when the burden associated with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder leads to treatment, support, or services for this prevalent and impairing neurobehavioral disorder. Key Words attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, ADHD, ADD, National Survey of Children's Health, psychopharmacology, child mental health

ABBREVIATIONS. ADHD, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder; NHIS, National Health Interview Survey; SES, socioeconomic status; OR, odds ratio; CI, confidence interval. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurobehavioral disorder and manifests as a spectrum [...], Objective. To investigate the association between the mental health status of mothers and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in their school-aged children and to characterize the health care access and utilization of families affected by ADHD. Methods. Survey logistic regression procedures were used to investigate the association between activity-limiting mental health conditions in mothers and ADHD in their school-aged children using 1998 National Health Interview Survey data. A total of 9529 mother-child dyads were included in the final analysis. Results. The prevalence of ADHD among children aged 4 to 17 years was 6.3%. Survey logistic regression statistics revealed an association between an activity-limiting depression, anxiety, or emotional problem in mothers and ADHD in their children. This association persisted after controlling for the gender, age, and race of the child; household income (as a function of the 1997 poverty level); and type of family structure as reported by the mother (adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 4.2; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.2-8.1). Mothers of a child with ADHD were 13 times more likely to have consulted with a mental health professional about their child's health within the past year despite reporting an inability to afford prescription medications (OR: 3.3; 95% CI: 2.2-4.9) and mental health care (OR: 7.4; 95% CI: 4.6, 11.8) for the child. Conclusions. Maternal mental health is significantly associated with the presence of ADHD in school-aged children. This finding further supports a link between maternal mental health and behavioral outcomes in children. Health care utilization and access findings support a family-oriented system of care. Pediatrics 2003;111:12321237; ADHD, ADD, child mental health, NHIS, maternal depression, maternal mental health.