A roundup of recent newspaper stories about children's health...
Monday, Nov. 19, 2007:
Preschools for Low-Income Kids Are Few and Far Between
Studies show that academic disparities among poor and minority
children start when they enter school, and many experts say that quality
preschool can help correct that. But low salaries for teachers and a lack
of funding for programs mean that quality preschool programs for low-income
kids in California are rare. (Oakland Tribune, 11/11/07, by Murphy)
Schools Chief Calls for More Cultural Competency
Poor academic performance among African American and Latino students
is a result of “cultural ignorance” in the California school system, according
to State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell. The schools
chief will lead a conference this week to address race and student academic
achievement. (SF Chronicle, 11/12/07, by Asimov)
Study:
One in Five California
Kids Hungry
One in every five children in California was hungry or at risk of hunger
between 2003 and 2005, according to a report released this week by America
's Second Harvest. The report, which was based on Census Bureau data,
found that 13 million children nationwide live in households that struggle
to provide enough food. Texas and New Mexico had the highest percentages
of hungry children, and New Hampshire had the lowest. (USA Today, 11/15/07,
by Koch)
Combination of Factors Leads to Racial Disparities in Foster Care
Racial, ethnic or cultural prejudices, whether intentional or
not, may be partly to blame for racial disparities in the foster care
system nationwide, experts say. That, coupled with poverty and inadequate
housing or child care, has led to a disproportionate number of Latino
and African American children in foster care. (AP, 11/14/07, by Leblanc)
Studies Address Behavior, ADHD
Disruptive or antisocial behavior in kindergarten does not
mean children will fall behind academically in later grades, according
to researchers at Northwestern University . The study found that badly
behaved kindergarteners scored just as well on fifth-grade math and reading
tests as their well-behaved peers. Another study, conducted by researchers
at the National Institute of Mental Health, found that children with Attention
Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder have developmental delays of up to three
years in some parts of their brains. The study of 223 children and teens
with the disorder found that the delays are most severe in the areas of
the brain that control attention, thought, and planning. (NY Times, 11/13/07,
by Carey)
Insurance
Program Leads to Healthy Outcomes for State's Children. California's
Healthy Kids insurance programs have resulted in "consistent and dramatic
gains in the well-being of children and families," according to a
recent study of evaluations of the programs conducted by Mathematica Policy
Research. The study found that children enrolled in Healthy Kids for at
least a year had improved access to care, were able to see specialists
when needed, and had fewer unmet medical needs, compared to children without
insurance. The study shows that the Healthy Kids program is a reliable
model for effective health insurance programs throughout the state and
beyond, researchers noted. (Stockton Record, 11/20/07, by Goldeen)
Bipolar Diagnoses Grow for Kids
This Los Angeles Times article discusses the difficulty that
parents and doctors face when trying to diagnose bipolar disorder in children.
Experts concede there are no clear lines between problem behaviors and
psychiatric disorders in children. Meanwhile the percentage of children
diagnosed with bipolar disorder and treated with anti-psychotic medications
continues to grow. (LA Times, 11/20/07, by Healy)
Schools Exploring Ways to Bridge the Racial Achievement Gap
Many local schools have implemented programs to address the
academic achievement gap between African American and Latino students
and their peers by offering extra math and reading help during and after
school. Following a recent educational summit focused on this racial achievement
gap led by Jack O'Connell, state superintendent of public instruction,
schools statewide will likely make similar efforts in the years to come.
(SJ Mercury, 11/21/07, by Noguchi)
Community Support Increasing for Preteen Girls
It's harder than ever to be a preteen girl in middle school,
experts say, and many parents are opting to send their daughters to summer
camps or after-school programs designed to help girls navigate the preteen
years. Today's generation of preteen girls are experiencing
"relational aggression," experts say, a combination of schoolyard
bullying and teasing along with cyber bullying and increased sexualized
images of young girls in the media. (Philadelphia Inquirer, 11/18/07,
by Kadaba)
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