This report discusses the status of children's health in the United States, and strategies which involve primarily personal health care services for the prevention of death, disease and injury of children. The report opens with a summary of the contents, and then suggests strategies for public policy for the improvement of children's health. The first major section studies the effects of low birthweight on infant mortality in the United States. It also discusses children's access to health care and the limitations of and alternatives to private and public health insurance. The second section focuses on the prevention of childhood disease. Prenatal care, screening of newborns for congenital diseases, and well-child care are studied in terms of their approaches, effectiveness, cost effectiveness and financing. Accidental childhood injuries and the usefulness of prevention strategies are considered. Finally, the report discusses the prevalence, causes and effects of child abuse and neglect, and the effectiveness of programs and federal and state funding for the prevention of maltreatment of children. The report concludes with an appendix and list of 779 references. (RJC)