A roundup of recent newspaper stories about children's health...
Monday, Dec. 11:
Limit
Unhealthful Ads to Kids, Doctors Say
Congress should take action to limit advertising unhealthful
activities to children, the American Academy of Pediatrics recently announced
in a policy statement. The organization says that television advertisements
are partly to blame when children become obese or anorexic, engage in
risky sexual activity, or experiment with drugs and alcohol. (AP, 12/3/06,
by Tanner)
Editorial:
More Accountability Needed for Deaths in Foster System
This San Francisco Chronicle editorial encourages the state to
adopt legislation that will improve accountability of children who die
while in the foster care system. Many foster children have died without
any explanation from the state, and a law should be put in place to open
those case files to the public, the editorial says. (SF Chronicle, 12/3/06)
Opinion:
What's to Blame for Child Asthma Increase?
Asthma rates among children in the U.S. jumped roughly 60 percent from
1980 to 2003, and seem to have leveled off somewhat since then, according
to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This New York Times
opinion piece by Denise Grady questions what could have caused such a
big increase. Experts disagree on whether genetics, environmental concerns
such as air pollution, dust, or secondhand smoke, or bacteria from antibiotics
could be to blame for the rising prevalence of asthma in children. (NY
Times, 11/28/06, by Grady)
Schools
Trade Recess for More Academics, Less Liability
Many school districts nationwide have cut back on recess time
or eliminated it completely to make way for more academic time to prepare
for standardized tests, or to avoid the liability of a child getting hurt
on the playground. Some education experts argue that time to exercise
during recess is vital to a child's physical and emotional health. (AP,
12/2/06, by Kumar)
School
Reform Should Include Physical, Mental Health Help, Officials Say
Efforts to reform education on a national level are missing
two important components -- physical and mental health services, education
experts say. Researchers say that obesity, asthma, and mental disorders
can have serious academic consequences. Many schools must reply on outside
help from nonprofit organizations to provide adequate help to their students
regarding their mental and physical health. (Washington Post, 12/5/06,
by Strauss)
High
School-College Transition Even Harder for Students with Mental Health
Problems
This New York Times article outlines the struggles faced by mentally
ill teens when they make the transition from high school to college. A
new independent lifestyle puts choices about medication, counseling, and
disclosure of the illness into the hands of teens, not parents. (NY Times,
12/8/06, by Clemetson)
Bill
Aims to Increase Funds for Autism Research
Congress has agreed to increase federal funding for research,
screening and treatment of autism by 50 percent. New legislation authorizes
$945 million over the next five years, and has gone to President Bush
for a signature. (AP, 12/8/06)
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