HOSPITAL DISCHARGE TRENDS

Since 1985, overall hospital discharge rates for children ages 1-14 years have declined by 33 percent.

Between 1985 and 2002, hospital discharge rates for diseases of the respiratory systems declined 42 percent for children in this age group.

Three diagnostic categories (respiratory diseases, injury, and digestive diseases) accounted for 44 percent of discharges among children ages 1-14 years in 2002.

Graph: Discharge Rates Among Children by Diagnoses[d]