This book presents information on the current health status of children and adolescents in the Netherlands. Chapter 1 discusses demographic factors, including population trends and life expectancy. Chapter 2 focuses on children's health status, reporting on child mortality rates, abortion, birth rate, family planning, perinatal health problems, congenital anomalies, accidents at or around the home, traffic accidents, chronic conditions and handicaps, asthma, diabetes mellitus, vision, hearing, developmental problems, mental deficiency, and mental health. Chapter 3 presents information on lifestyle influences on children's health, including breastfeeding, dental health, leisure time, cigarette smoking, alcohol, drugs, and teenage sexuality. Chapter 4 discusses aspects of the Netherlands' health care system, including access to health care, organization, financing, obstetrical care, maternity home help, preventive child health care, preschool and school health care, vaccinations, general practitioner consultation rates, specialist service use, and hospital admissions. Chapter 5 focuses on social welfare and discusses pregnancy leave, breastfeeding at work, parental leave, child benefit, day care for children, youth welfare work, and youth care. Chapter 6 discusses education, focusing on play groups, compulsory education, and schools for special education. Chapter 7 presents information on children at risk, including preterm children, ethnic minorities, children of refugees, adopted children, child abuse, and school dropouts. The report concludes by noting that children in the Netherlands enjoy a better state of health than their predecessors a generation ago. However, more attention needs to be paid to problems associated with smoking, drinking, and drug abuse, living environment, accident prevention, lack of exercise/sport, and mistaken nutritional habits. (Contains 39 references.) (KB)