A roundup of recent newspaper stories about children's health...
Monday, Jan. 21, 2008:
Contra Costa County Fights Back Against Obesity
At a Contra Costa County summit last week, 200 advocates aiming to combat
the county's growing childhood obesity rates offered a plan to make the
community more healthful. Advocates have asked families, businesses and
community groups to come together to increase access to healthy foods,
provide more recreation opportunities and educate families about healthy
choices, among other goals. Experts say that a coordinated effort by the
community is needed to reverse the trend. (CC Times, 1/14/08, by Steffens)
Editorial:
Kids Should Be State's Top Priority
This San Jose Mercury News editorial cites the recent report
card issued by local nonprofit Children Now as an example of how California
is "failing its children." While children in Santa Clara County
fared slightly better than the state average, the editorial calls upon
state lawmakers to make children their top priority. (SJ Mercury, 1/8/08)
Technology for Kids Should Include Education and Fun, Experts Say
The Re-Mission video game developed by Palo Alto-based nonprofit
HopeLab gives kids with cancer a chance to learn more about their condition
and how treatments work. Participants at the recent Consumer Electronics
Show in Las Vegas reviewed the game and expressed a need for more video
games that educate as well as entertain. (Boston Globe, 1/14/08, by Bray)
Internet Moves Bullying From School to Home
An increase in Internet socializing among teens has led to a
rise in online harassment. Many local schools are cracking down by addressing
online harassment in their anti-bullying policies, stressing to students
that activity on the web leaves electronic trails that can be tracked
by administrators. (SJ Mercury, 1/13/08, by Noguchi)
New
Jersey
Foster Care System Focuses on Reunification
In order to increase the number of foster children who get
reunited with families, the New Jersey Department of Children and Family
Services partners with nonprofit organizations to provide reunification
services. The nonprofits provide parenting classes, counseling, assistance
with housing and health insurance, among other services, to families separated
due to abuse or neglect. (AP, 1/13/08, by Santi)
Study:
Family Meals Protect Girls Against Unhealthful
Eating
Girls who eat five or more family meals a week may be less likely to develop
unhealthful eatin g habits and eating disorders, according to a study
released by the University of Minnesota. The study also supports previous
findings that boys are less likely to suffer from eating disorders if
they eat with the family regularly. (Star Tribune, 1/11/08, by Marcotty)
FDA:
Don't Give Cold Medicines to Kids
Parents should not give over-the-counter cough and cold medicines
to infants and toddlers age 2 and younger because the risk of accidental
overdose is too great, according to a public safety advisory issued by
the Food and Drug Administration. The advisory reiterates an earlier warning
that the drugs are unsafe, in an effort to further educate parents on
the issue. FDA officials said they are still investigating whether the
drugs are unsafe for children ages 2 through 11. (AP, 1/17/08, by Neergaard)
Arthritis
Not Just for Seniors
Roughly 300,000 children nationwide suffer from arthritis, according
to a study conducted by researchers at the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention. Experts say the study's findings will help raise awareness
about the prevalence of arthritis in children and a shortage of pediatric
rheumatologists to diagnose and treat the condition. (USA Today, 1/16/08,
by Fackelmann)
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