ABSTRACT
In states where immigration is high and children of color have been previously a significant segment of the population, this proportion is even higher. Both natural increase and immigration contribute to the growth and the changing ethnic mix of the population. Children in California’s schools are predominantly children of color. California Tomorrow has estimated that by the year 2000 less than 45% of these children will be non-Hispanic white. For children and adolescents seeking a sense of self, family, and community, this environment can create conflict, lack of self-worth, and loss of well-being. The prevalence of low-birth-weight infants is a general measure of a population’s overall health and its ability to have healthy babies. During the preschool years children grow and develop rapidly. Children begin to interact with other children, and some enter preschool for their first contact with institutions outside of their homes. Chronic disease among preschool immigrant children does not appear to be higher than among nonimmigrant children.
