The first section of the publication is devoted to historical data on maternal mortality, late fetal deaths, low birth weight, and infant mortality. The second section presents statistics on population characteristics affecting the well-being of children. The third section on health status contains vital statistics and health behavior information for infants, children, and adolescents. The fourth section presents data on health services utilization, while the fifth and sixth sections contain information on selected health status indicators at State and city levels. The statistical trends reveal areas of progress but also illustrate the extent to which some health risks continue to plague the lives of children and families. The leading health risk for both children and adults is poverty, since poverty can affect nutrition, access to health care, and living conditions that are conducive to health. Firearms are the second leading cause of death due to injury among adolescents between 15 and 19 years of age. AIDS is also taking a significant toll on children who are increasingly affected and infected by the disease. In addition, teenage smoking has steadily decreased during the 1990's, and researchers estimate about 3,000 young people become regular smokers everyday. Data on population characteristics concern children in poverty, family composition, working mothers, child care, and school dropouts. Health services utilization data cover health care financing, vaccination coverage, physician visits, hospital utilization, preventive dental services, and prenatal care. References, tables, figures, and photographs