A roundup of recent newspaper stories about children's health...
Monday, Nov. 26, 2007:
Many Drugs Prescribed for Kids Haven't Been Tested on Them
Many medications used by adults are not safe for children, and
also can be ineffective. This Washington Post article details the struggles
faced by pharmaceutical companies and doctors when prescribing drugs to
children, and notes that experts are working with lawmakers to ensure
expanded testing guidelines for medications. (Washington Post, 11/22/07,
by Stein)
Students Will Eat Healthful Foods, Study Finds
Some school officials may underestimate students' willingness
to eat healthful foods, according to a University of Minnesota study finding
that school lunch sales don't decline when healthier meals are served.
Additionally, the study found that healthier meals can cost less to make
than purchasing processed foods. (AP, 11/25/07, by Karnowski)
Report: Neediest Children Live in Richest States
The neediest children in America live in some of the wealthiest
states, including California , where 42 percent of children are from low-income
families, according to a report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation. The
organization's annual report that ranks the 50 states in terms of child
well being masks how low-income children are faring specifically, officials
at the foundation's Kids Count program said. This new ranking shows how
states who rank high in overall child well being may not be serving low-income
children as well. (USA Today, 11/23/07, by Koch)
Report: Keep Unstructured Play a Priority
The pressure to prepare children for success in life is depriving
them of valuable unstructured playtime, which pediatricians say is necessary
for healthy child development, according to a report released by the American
Academy of Pediatrics. The report asks pediatricians to promote the importance
of play to parents. (PA Weekly, 11/21/07, by Pennell)
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