Health Care Issues for Children

The societal strides and progress of the last five decades have provided Americans with great benefits and opportunities. Technology has afforded instant access to information and the ability to connect with people anywhere and at any time via televised broadcasts and using the Internet. Food is available quickly and economically. Unfortunately, the achievements we have gained to get everything from food to information faster, quicker and easier are presenting health care issues that impact the lives of children.

Childhood Obesity

• Teach healthy eating habits early and make it a family affair.

  According to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), "Childhood obesity has more than tripled in the past 30 years. The prevalence of obesity among children aged six to 11 years increased from 6.5% in 1980 to 19.6% in 2008." In 2009, a poll conducted by Academic Pediatrics revealed that 42% of U.S. adults of all races agreed that obesity is the number one health care issue for children.

  Obese children are at risk to contract bone and joint problems, as well as sleep apnea. There are also mental health issues that children might experience because of being overweight, including poor self-esteem and being targeted for bullying.

Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease

• Children are now experiencing Type One and Type Two diabetes at alarming rates.

  Children exhibit high risks to incur not only Type One diabetes, but also Type Two diabetes due to obesity, family genetics and history. As reported by the National Diabetes Education Program, "Type Two diabetes, a disease that used to be seen primarily in adults over age 45, is becoming more common in young people."

Lack of Exercise and Physical Activity

• First Lady Michelle Obama launched the "Let's Move" campaign to address children's health issues.

  Many of the health care issues children are facing result from growing sedentary lifestyles and lack of exercise. The issues are further exacerbated by reduction in government budgetary expenditures to support public school programs for physical education. In early 2010, First Lady Michelle Obama launched the program "Let's Move!" to address and promote exercise and healthy eating among children. With short- and long-term goals to achieve strides in progress in attitudes and behaviors, it is much like the anti-smoking campaign set forth in the 1960s.

Lack of Health Insurance

• According to the Baker Institute, children who are uninsured are far more likely to go without health care and rely upon hospital emergency rooms for services, as opposed to visiting a pediatrician on a regular basis. The institute states that, "Lack of health insurance coverage for children leads to poorer health in childhood, greater rates of avoidable hospitalizations and higher childhood mortality." During times of economic challenges, some families have to choose between health insurance and other expenses, including food, rent and mortgage payments. These hard choices present additional health care issues for children.

Use of Social Media

• The use of social media and networking sites on the Internet has fostered first-time issues and concerns in regards to health care issues for children. The benefits of Internet usage have also resulted in unfortunate negatives that impact health care for children, with bullying and suicide being the most damaging possibilities. For teens, text messaging and cell phone usage while driving are new and critical health care issues that directly impact teens.

  These health care issues are forcing corporations and government agencies to work in consort, voluntarily or mandated, to institute policies, regulations and laws to provide healthier and safer online experiences for children.