A roundup of recent newspaper stories about children's health...
Monday, Oct. 9:
Premature
Births Leading Cause of Infant Deaths
More than 30 percent -- or 9,596 -- of all infant deaths in the U.S. are
the direct result of pre-term births, double the percentage previously
believed, according to a study conducted by researchers at the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention. (SJ Mercury, 10/2/06, by Maugh)
Parents
Face Dilemma Over When to Start Kindergarten
Nearly 10 percent of children nationwide start kindergarten a year later
than they could, sometimes because parents believe their kids are not
emotionally ready for school. Boys and higher income students are more
likely to be "redshirted," as the practice is called. But some
experts, including Deborah Stipek, dean of Stanford's School of Education,
say redshirting puts lower-income kids at a disadvantage, because those
who go to school at a younger age for family financial reasons often are
the least prepared. (SF Chronicle, 9/30/06, by DeFao)
Study:
One in Five Californians Lacks Health Insurance
Nearly 6.5 million California residents don’t have health insurance,
according to a study conducted by researchers at UCLA's Center for Health
Policy Research. The same study also revealed that 10.7 percent of children
didn’t have health insurance for all or part of last year, a significant
improvement from 2001 when the percentage was 14.8. Despite the progress,
an estimated half of uninsured children could qualify for public assistance,
but parents/guardians aren't applying for the help. (OC Register, 10/5/06)
Survey:
California Students Experimenting with Prescription Drugs
A state survey of 10,638 middle and high school students across California
found that 15 percent of 11th graders, 9 percent of 9th graders, and 4
percent of 7th graders consume pharmaceutical drugs without a prescription.
The study, conducted by the state Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs,
also showed that the use of inhalants, marijuana, and alcohol has significantly
declined over the last decade. (SD Union Tribune, 10/4/06, by Thompson)
Many
Young Children Not Getting Annual Flu Shot
Just one-third of children between the ages of six months and two years
get a flu vaccination, and some of the two-thirds who don't receive the
flu shot are at risk of serious illness or even death, because they have
asthma or other chronic diseases, according to a survey by the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention. A different survey of children the
same age, conducted by state health departments, found that 48 percent
of children receive flu shots. (SF Chronicle, 10/4/06, by Freking)
Study
Questions Breastfeeding's Link to Child Intelligence
Although research shows that breastfeeding has a beneficial effect on
a child's intelligence, once other factors are considered, such as maternal
intelligence, home environment, and socio-economic status, breastfeeding
makes up less than half a point difference in intelligence scores, according
to a study of 5,475 U.S. children and their mothers that was conducted
by Scottish researchers. (eMaxHealth.com, 10/06/06)
|
to receive e-mail digests about local children's health events and news regarding preteens.
|
