A roundup of recent newspaper stories about children's health...
Monday, Nov. 12, 2007:
Editorial: Some Leaders Not Willing to Work Toward Compromise
This New York Times editorial criticizes Republican leaders in Congress for blocking a possible compromise on the State Children's Health Insurance Bill. A revision of the bill passed in Congress last week without enough votes to override a presidential veto. (NY Times, 11/4/07 )
Technology Gap Affects Parent-Teen Relationships
With teens spending more time on the Internet and using cell phones, it has become difficult for parents to keep tabs on their child's social contacts and activities, causing a “technology generation gap,” according to a recent study from the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. Experts encourage pare nts to become more technologically savvy in order to maintain communication with their teenage children. (Inside Bay Area, 10/29/07 )
Problems Found in Minority-Run Foster Care Systems
This New York Times article, the first in a three-part series, tells the history of minority-run foster care systems in New York . Twenty years ago, child welfare advocates asked that minority foster children be cared for by representatives of their own community. Now, that system faces charges of poor service and supervision. (NY Times, 11/5/07 , by Kaufman)
Study: Sleep Relates to Obesity Risk
The more children sleep, the less likely they are to become obese, according to researchers at the University of Michigan 's Center for Human Growth and Development. The study found that sixth graders who averaged less than 8.5 hours of sleep a night had a 23 percent rate of obesity, while those who averaged over 9.25 hours of sleep had an obesity rate of 12 percent. (HealthDay News, 11/5/07 , by Gordon)
Reform for Minority-Run Foster Care Systems in New York
The final two parts in this New York Times series on minority-run foster care programs in New York City discuss reform efforts for these organizations. Part two examines cases where federal and state funding was not used appropriately and children missed out on necessary programs. Part three notes efforts underway to revamp and provide more accountability and support for minority-run foster care agencies. (NY Times, 11/6/07 , by Kaufman and Weisner)
Part 3: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/07/nyregion/07foster.html?hp
Study: Mindless TV Leads to Attention Problems Later
Toddlers age 3 and under who watch violent cartoons and other non-educational television programs are more likely to have future attention problems than their peers who watch only educational programming, according to a recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Washington . The study found that a child's risk for attention problems later in life doubled with each hour per day they watched violent or non-educational programming. Educational shows had no association with attention problems, researchers found. (AP, 11/5/07 , by Tanner)
Study: Abstinence-Only Programs Not As Effective As Others
There is no strong evidence that abstinence-only sex education programs are effective in preventing teen pregnancy, yet such programs are eligible for millions of dollars in federal funding, according to a study conducted by the nonpartisan National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy. The study also found that comprehensive sex education programs lead to more positive outcomes among teens, including higher rates of contraceptive use and lower rates of pregnancy. (AP, 11/7/07 , by Hebert)
Study: Kids of Arrested Illegal Immigrant Parents Left with Mental Health Issues
Children whose parents have been arrested in immigration raids are at high risk of developing mental health disorders including post-traumatic stress disorder, separation anxiety and depression, according to a study conducted by researchers at the Urban Institute. The study encourages Congress to pay closer attention to how immigration raids affect children. (AP, 10/31/07 , by Garcia)
|
to receive
e-mail digests about local children's health events and news regarding
preteens.
|
