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Below are summaries of articles related to child well-being in North Carolina. Also provided are links to each article's full text.
HEALTH
SAFETY
EARLY CARE
EDUCATION
ECONOMIC SECURITY
HEALTH
The Daily Southernerhttp://www.dailysoutherner.com/statenews/local_story_039094557.html
"Candidates for governor focus on insurance"
By The Associated PressRESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK-—
Four Republican candidates for governor preached personal responsibility and private insurance solutions Thursday night to reduce health care costs and put more North Carolina citizens on insurance rolls."We've got to move from a culture of unhealthy lifestyles to a culture of healthy lifestyles," state Sen. Fred Smith of Johnston County said at a gubernatorial forum at the University of North Carolina Television studios. “We’ve got to have market-driven consumer decisions to where are patients make good prudent decisions about our health care costs."Earlier in the 90-minute forum, leading Democratic candidates Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue and State Treasurer Richard Moore also talked up preventive care to reduce the costs of chronic diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure to cover the 1.4 million North Carolinians who are uninsured.Perdue and Moore also again traded barbs in the second of the candidates’ three scheduled statewide television forums, with Moore questioning Perdue’s work on a state health panel and Perdue citing a 1994 candidate’s newspaper questionnaire that he was willing to consider trimming federal health programs for the elderly and poor.All six candidates, who are vying for their parties’ nominations in the May 6 primary, also lamented about the lack of physical education in the public schools and shared their challenges to their own personal health, with Moore saying he was an overweight child."I've literally lived this," Moore said. "I grew my way out of it, exercised my way out of it and really saw the link that there is between academic success and being physically fit."The other GOP candidates, Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory, former Supreme Court Justice Bob Orr and Salisbury attorney Bill Graham, joined Smith in encouraging state involvement to provide incentives for small businesses and individuals to provide private insurance to the uninsured.--------------
The Independent Tribunehttp://www.independenttribune.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=CIT%2FMGArticle%2FCIT_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173354549682"
"Leaders: Strides are being made in dental care"By Josh McCannHARRISBURG -
Local leaders have consistently identified access to dental care as a need for more than a decade, but dentists and health officials say Cabarrus County children still do not have enough.As part of an ongoing push to remedy that disparity, 17 local dentists opened their offices to provide free screening, education and treatment Friday to more than 200 children.Cabarrus dental professionals also participated in the "Give Kids a Smile!" program each of the past five years as part of National Children’s Dental Access Day.The issue was one of the first charged to Healthy Cabarrus as a result of a 1997 needs assessment, executive director Gina Goff said."It's a need that's not yet gone away," Goff said. "But I do know we've made a lot of progress."Since 1997, the Cabarrus Health Alliance has opened a dental clinic in Kannapolis that has expanded to 12 chairs at The Village in Concord.The overall number of dentists in the community has also increased as more for-profit practices have started, and an increasing percentage of Medicaid recipients are accessing dental care, Goff said.Even so, Cabarrus has fewer dentists per capita than either the state or national averages.Goff said there were 3.0 dentists per 10,000 residents in the county in 2005, up from 2.7 in 2001.The state has 4.4, up from 4.0.The nation has 6.0, up from 5.9.--------------
WECT-TV Wilmingtonhttp://www.wect.com/Global/story.asp?S=7852932&nav=menu157_11
"Health Tip: Baby Teeth Need Attention"(HealthDay News) -
Even though baby teeth eventually fall out and are replaced by permanent teeth, they still need proper care.Here are suggestions to keep baby's teeth healthy, courtesy of the American Academy of Family Physicians: * It's never too early to start brushing. As soon as the infant's first tooth erupts, start brushing twice a day with a damp washcloth. * Once your baby is a year old, start brushing teeth with a toothbrush and toothpaste (without fluoride) that are designed for babies. * Make sure your baby sees the dentist by the first birthday. Make sure the child has regular, twice yearly checkups every year. * Avoid too much juice, which may contain lots of sugar that can lead to decay. * Don't give your baby a bottle once the infant has reached 1 year of age.--------------
WSOC-TVhttp://www.wsoctv.com/food/15301276/detail.html
"Diet Can Make For Healthy Smile"
February is Children's Dental Health Month, a good time to review basics of healthy teeth.Nutrition for healthy teeth starts with the MyPyramid food guidance system. Although calcium helps build strong teeth and bones, many foods in MyPyramid contain nutrients that help kids maintain a healthy smile, snacks such as fresh vegetables, fruits, yogurt and cheese.Encourage your children to keep their teeth and gums healthy by brushing with fluoride toothpaste twice a day and flossing daily. Go easy on between-meal snacks. When they do snack, have them eat the snack at one sitting, rather than nibbling on it over a long period.When possible, have your children brush right after eating. If brushing is not an option, at least remind them to rinse their mouth well.--------------
The Times-Newshttp://www.thetimesnews.com/articles/physical_10165___article.html/school_most.html
"Nutrition is just as important as education"
Commentary by Gabriella Gallo, Times-News correspondent
If you asked any kid what their favorite period in school is, their likely answer is lunch.Yes, they get to socialize and gossip about all the latest news, but that’s not the only reason they jump out of their seats at the sound of the bell. It’s their senses telling them that yogurt, salads, cheeses, fruit and more is waiting for them. At least ideally, that’s what it should be. In reality, school cafeterias are packed with unhealthy food like fries, burgers, cookies and chili hot dogs. It’s not that these foods should never be eaten, just not every day.Recent studies have shown that children in the U.S. are most at risk of becoming overweight or obese. Physicians believe the cause for obesity is, first and for most, the lack of physical activity.Now, most schools only demand one semester of physical education for high school students and one hour a week of physical education for elementary school children.But, is this really enough to help children stay in shape? According to the Trust for Americas Health (TFAH), it’s not. In addition, a survey conducted in 2003-04 by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services showed that more and more children ages 10-17 are becoming overweight.A state-by-state study of overweight children ages 10 to 17conducted in 2003-04 showed that the top 10 states with an obesity problem are as follows: (1) Washington, D.C; (2) West Virginia; (3) Kentucky; (4) Tennessee; (5) North Carolina; (6) Texas; (7) South Carolina; (8) Mississippi; (9) Louisiana; (10) New Mexico.Sadly, all this does have consequences on one’s physical, mental and emotional well-being. Research has shown in the past that being overweight can cause numerous health issues such as heart disease and diabetes.--------------
Rocky Mount Telegramhttp://www.rockymounttelegram.com/health/content/shared-auto/healthnews/hear/611912.html
"Campaign Targets Noise-Induced Hearing Loss in Kids"
(HealthDay News) -- About one in eight -- or about 5 million -- American youngsters have noise-induced hearing loss, something that's entirely preventable, says the American Academy of Audiology.The academy has launched a public education campaign, called Turn it to the Left, to boost awareness of the problem and explain how it can be prevented simply by turning down the volume of personal music players."The hearing loss kids experience now will accelerate the hearing loss normally associated with aging when these kids are in their 60s and 70s," Alison Grimes, academy president and head of the Audiology Clinic at UCLA Medical Center, said in a prepared statement."Hearing loss is the third most common health problem in the United States and affects more than 31 million Americans. With the Turn if to the Left campaign, we hope to educate kids to turn down the volume and prevent hearing loss before it begins."Grimes said it's a simple thing to turn down the volume, avoid areas with excessive noise, or use earplugs, but many children aren't doing it."Parents and teachers need to help educate kids at home and at school," she said.Because children seldom complain about symptoms of noise-induced hearing loss, it can be difficult to diagnose. Symptoms may include distorted or muffled sound, difficulty understanding speech, or ringing in the ears, which is a sign of imminent damage. Youngsters may not even be aware of hearing loss, but it can be detected during a hearing evaluation."Kids need to have their hearing checked regularly by an audiologist, but more often than not, children don't see an audiologist until there is a problem," Grimes said. "Hearing is critical to children's safety and to the development of speech, listening, learning and social skills. With a little education, a commitment to turning down the volume, and regular visits to an audiologist, hearing loss can be prevented."-------------------------------
SAFETYWinston-Salem Journalhttp://www.journalnow.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WSJ/MGArticle/WSJ_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173354618138
"2006 death toll from ATVs at least 555: Number includes more than 100 children but is incomplete, agency says"
By The Associated PressWASHINGTON--
At least 555 people - more than 100 children among them - died in all-terrain vehicle accidents in 2006. Government safety officials expect the number to go much higher as they continue to gather information.The Consumer Product Safety Commission estimated that an additional 146,600 people were treated in emergency rooms for ATV-related injuries - more than a quarter of them children.Consumer groups and parents who have lost children in wrecks have complained for years about the safety of the popular off-road vehicles.The industry says that it is not the ATV but the driver that is the problem."ATVs have never been shown to be an unsafe product, but there have been bad decisions made by people sitting on the seat," said Mike Mount, a spokesman for Specialty Vehicle Institute of America, based in California.In its annual report released yesterday, the CPSC said that Pennsylvania, with 420 deaths, has had the highest number of reported ATV deaths since 1982, followed by California, West Virginia, Texas and Kentucky. North Carolina, with 297 deaths, is ninth."The signs are pointing to a very dangerous trend into more than 800 deaths per year," CPSC spokesman Scott Wolfson said. The agency is still gathering data as far back as 2003. The report updates CPSC data with numbers from 2006, the latest year that agency staff have analyzed.--------------
Raleigh News & Observerhttp://www.newsobserver.com/2188/story/938703.html
"Ban sought on novelty lighters"
By Amy Lorentzen, Associated Press WriterDES MOINES, Iowa -
The cartoonish plastic frog with bulging eyes could be a children's toy - but for the torch-like flame that bursts from the novelty lighter's head."They look like something you would get in a McDonald's Happy Meal," said John Dean, president of the National Association of State Fire Marshals, who often shows off the device. "They're cute, they're little" - but they can be deadly.Dean's group is backing an effort to ban novelty lighters across the country, and a handful of states are considering it. In California, Washington and Arkansas, local ordinances have been passed to keep the lighters off store shelves.Novelty lighters can look like anything from tiny skateboards and cell phones to farm animals and butterflies. Some light up or make noises, including the tiny green frog that elicits a "ribbit" when its flame is ignited."They look like toys so kids play with them, and that's caused a number of injuries and ... deaths," said Iowa state Sen. Keith Kreiman, who called the devices "an attractive nuisance." The Iowa Legislature considered a measure last year seeking a study of the lighters, and the matter will likely come up again this session, Kreiman said.The European Union has moved to ban novelty lighters, which are generally manufactured in China. Fire officials worry that manufacturers will try to unload the lighters in the U.S."What I think is happening now is we're really getting dumped on, we're seeing more," said Judith Okulitch with the Oregon State Fire Marshal's Office.Okulitch's agency was among the first to raise concern about the novelty lighters.-------------------------------
EARLY CAREKinston Free Presshttp://www.kinston.com/articles/care_44286___article.html/quality_child.html
"More Lenoir and Greene county children in quality child care"
The New Year starts with good news for parents in Lenoir and Greene counties. According to data released by The North Carolina Partnership for Children Inc., more families with young children have access to and are participating in high quality child care programs in Lenoir and Greene counties.NCPC leads the state Smart Start program and evaluates local and statewide progress annually. The latest data shows that Smart Start continues to improve the quality of child care in both counties, thanks to the efforts of the Partnership for Children of Lenoir and Greene counties.Keith Sylvester, executive director, shared the good news at the organization’s board of director’s meeting Jan. 31. The number of children enrolled in high quality child care (programs with four or five stars) has increased 87 percent in Lenoir County and 29 percent in Greene County since 2001, reflecting an improvement in child care quality and an increase in the number of children enrolled in high quality programs.Of child care enrolees, 43 percent in Lenoir County and 60 percent in Greene County are enrolled in the highest quality programs."This is really great news for the children of Lenoir and Greene counties," said NCPC President Stephanie Fanjul."Not only are young children experiencing improved care, but families seeking child care are better able to find high quality programs."The Lenoir/Greene program assesses child care center quality, recommends changes where needed and helps child care teachers continue their education.-------------------------------
EDUCATION
NCSU Technician Onlinehttp://media.www.technicianonline.com/media/storage/paper848/news/2008/02/08/News/Alternatives.Programs.Begin.Bridging.Gap.In.Teacher.Numbers-3197735.shtml
Alternatives, programs begin bridging gap in teacher numbers: Several new and expanding programs aim to place more highly qualified educators in N.C. classrooms"
By Megan Peters
Almost a month into the third quarter for public schools, newly graduated teachers and soon-to-graduate student-teachers settle into their classroom tasks.But it's not enough.Twelve thousand teaching positions open up annually in North Carolina public schools. But the state's colleges and universities produce fewer than 6,000 licensed teachers in that same time, according to Director of Professional Education Michael Maher."The state of North Carolina operates on a deficit every year," he said. "Education is very cyclical. It has to do with the [student population] growth in the state from outside."Educating educatorsThe University has had a hand in lessening this void, Maher said."There's been tremendous growth," he said. "Our enrollments are growing. If you look in terms of sheer numbers, the college itself is growing."Last May, the college certified 185 undergraduates and 153 alternative licensure students, a growth of more than 200 percent from 2002 statistics.And Maher said these numbers will continue to increase due in part to initiatives, such as STEM grants, and new programs, like the elementary education and master's of art and teaching majors. The first class of elementary education majors, totaling approximately 30, will graduate in May with rates projected to double by next spring.Jeffrey Reaser, professor of English and coordinator for the English secondary education alternative licensure program, said he accredits much of the University's contribution of certified educators to alternative licensuring programs."N.C. State has been really leading the way with alternative licensures," he said. "[It was] the only institution last year to increase alternative licensure plans."Through N.C. Teach, an alternative licensure program that allows teachers to take distance-education classes toward their licenses while teaching at their schools, educators are getting into the classrooms sooner, Reaser said."In two years, we've effectively increased our number of licensed people through [N.C. Teach] six-fold," he said.And Maher said more teachers are graduating from the University in other ways as well."For at least the last five years, N.C. State has produced almost half of the licensed teachers in math [in the state]," he said.--------------
Asheville Citizen-Timeshttp://www.citizen-times.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080208/NEWS01/80207167/1250
"WNC dropouts up; city bucks trend"
By Ashley Wilson
ASHEVILLE--More Western North Carolina students dropped out of high school in 2006-07 than the year before, according to a state report released Thursday.The report, released by the N.C. Department of Public Instruction, showed at least nine WNC school districts with year-to-year increases in their dropout rates.The trend extended across the state, where 5.24 percent of students dropped out, up from 5.04 percent the previous school year."Are we happy with the numbers? Absolutely not," said Stan Alleyne, spokesman for Buncombe County Schools, which had a 5.38 percent dropout rate, nearly identical to the year before. "I do think with all these initiatives we have put in place over the years it does take time. We’ve invested a lot of energy the last couple of years."Instead of focusing solely on high schools, the school district’s Graduation Initiative, launched in 2006-07, is taking a kindergarten through 12th grade approach to keeping students in school.Using attendance and discipline records and family history, Buncombe officials are identifying students in elementary schools who may be disengaging from school, launching interventions to reach them and hoping to prevent them from dropping out years later. --------------
Greenville Daily Reflectorhttp://www.reflector.com/opin/content/news/opinion/stories/2008/02/10/ED_dropouts.html
"Start young - Dropout problem, hopefulness persist"
Editorial
Pitt County schools' dropout numbers reported Friday make an easy target for those bent on finding fault and assigning blame. But a better approach will be calmer and more thoughtful — and directed toward the young. Some of these are out there already.The numbers reported last week were not good. Dropout rates for Pitt County for the 2006-2007 year went from 5.89 percent to 6.89. The actual numbers: 509 dropped out in grades 9-12 in 2006-2007 compared to 417 in those grades in 2005-2006. That's a 22 percent increase year to year. The state dropout average reported for the same period was 5.24 percent, up from about 5 percent last year.However, Pitt County's numbers are up more dramatically this year since last year's figures were significantly lower. For example, the county percentages for the five years prior to this one are fairly consistent: 6.64 percent, 6.82 percent, 6.95 percent, 6.56 percent and 5.89 percent in 2005-2006. These are high compared to many other of the state's counties, but it is nonetheless clear that the problem here is not suddenly that much greater. But it remains persistent and troubling.At the state level there were no "answers" forthcoming following the report, although the political minds are and have been bending toward the subject for some time. Many educators believe, for example, that the bad numbers again underscore the need for raising from 16 to 18 the age that young North Carolinians must attend school. Now they can drop out at 16, which many do, according to statistics.New committees have been formed in the General Assembly to help in the fight, mainly by awarding grants designed to stem the dropout tide and then evaluating those efforts.--------------
Raleigh News & Observerhttp://www.newsobserver.com/front/story/931995.html
"Durham, Orange dropouts fewer, bucking N.C. trend"
By Samiha Khanna, Staff Writer
Although the number of high school dropouts statewide climbed 6 percent last year, dropout rates for schools in Durham and Orange counties decreased, according to a report released Thursday.In Durham, 508 high school students dropped out in the 2006-07 school year, compared with 520 the previous year, according to the report. The district-wide dropout rate for students in grades 9 through 12 fell from 5.15 percent to 4.90 percent. Dropout rates in the Orange and Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools systems also fell slightly.School administrators in Durham credit several initiatives for the decrease, particularly the creation of smaller, nontraditional high schools, said Debbie Pitman, assistant superintendent of student support services."One of the things we're hearing from students who are disconnected, or have dropped out, is that the traditional high school is not a setting where they've been successful, and they don't want to return," she said.In the past year, Durham has opened three new small high schools to give students more focused attention. One such program, the Performance Learning Center, focuses on recapturing dropouts and pushing them to finish up, get their diplomas and qualify for better jobs. Durham also received funding last month to start a night school at Southern High School this spring to aid about 30 dropouts or students at risk for doing so.Statewide, the number of dropouts increased. A total of 23,550 students dropped out in 2006-07, representing 5.24 percent of the state's high school population, according to Thursday's report. That is the biggest number in seven years.Educators couldn't explain why the numbers are getting worse, but they said it reinforces the need for the General Assembly to raise the minimum dropout age.-------------------------------
ECONOMIC SECURITY
Congress Dailyhttp://nationaljournal.com/about/congressdaily/
"Bush Signs Stimulus Bill As Paulson Predicts Growth"
By Elaine S. Povich
Treasury Secretary Paulson said today that economic stimulus rebate checks should be in the mail starting in May and that he expects the money and the rest of the package to increase economic growth. "It has a real impact," he told the House Budget Committee. "I think it will be quantifiable." Paulson added that "payments will be largely completed this summer, putting cash in the hands of millions of Americans at a time when our economy is experiencing slower growth," he said. "Together, the payments to individuals and the incentives for businesses will help create more than half a million jobs by the end of this year."The bill, which President Bush signed this afternoon, will provide $600 payments for most individuals -- $1,200 for couples -- plus $300 for each child younger than 17. Eligibility phases out after $75,000 in adjusted gross income for individuals and $150,000 for couples. Workers who can show $3,000 in earned income last year -- too little on which to pay income taxes -- and Social Security recipients and disabled veterans would be eligible for payments of $300. Businesses also get incentives to invest in new plants and equipment, and federal mortgage backers are allowed to insure larger home mortgages.Several Budget Committee members pressed Paulson to say the economy was slipping into recession, but he described it as a period of "slow growth." Paulson said the housing market was his main concern. He dismissed the idea -- also rejected by Congress in the economic stimulus package compromise -- of extending unemployment benefits. He said the current unemployment rate is 4.9 percent, not high enough to justify an extension. The lowest unemployment rate that has ever seen an extension of benefits was 5.7 percent.Paulson also was chastised for Bush's FY09 budget, which House Budget Chairman Spratt said includes many cuts rejected by Congress in the past "and aren't going anywhere now." Last year, Bush proposed cutting or eliminating 141 programs, but the Democratic-controlled Congress agreed with only 44 -- 23 terminations and 21 reductions. His proposed cuts in education and Medicare also were rejected. Paulson gave no ground on Bush's budget and said overhauling the alternative minimum tax should be done as a part of a look at the overall entitlement picture, along with whether Bush's tax cuts should be extended. --------------
Raleigh News & Observerhttp://www.newsobserver.com/politics/story/943693.html
"Bush's budget threats often lack teeth"
By Elizabeth Williamson, The Washington Post
WASHINGTON - It has happened for the past two years: President Bush, in a play to fiscal conservatives, draws up a budget request that sends a long list of domestic programs to the slaughter.Food for infants, toddlers and breast-feeding mothers -- gone. Innovation and technology grants for entrepreneurs -- history. Early-childhood education, job training -- poof.Then Congress weighs in, condemning Bush for ignoring the needs of the disadvantaged Americans who will suffer most from the cuts. The shouting dies down, Congress keeps most of the programs alive, both sides claim victory, and they walk away for another year.For fiscal 2008, which began in October, Bush proposed trimming or eliminating 141 programs in the current budget. Sixteen were eliminated and 13 were trimmed, according to the White House budget office.For fiscal 2009, Bush wants to cut even more, and, as always, he says he means it."I proposed a budget that terminates or substantially reduces 151 wasteful or bloated programs," he told a cheering crowd at the Conservative Political Action Conference last week. "Those programs total more than $18 billion. And if Congress sends me appropriations bills that exceed the reasonable limits I have set, I will veto the bills."Bush fared better when Republicans were in control of Congress. For fiscal 2006, he proposed 154 program terminations and reductions, and 89 (52 terminations and 37 reductions) were accepted either fully or in part, saving almost $6.5 billion, according to the Office of Management and Budget. In 2007, he proposed 141, but the Democratic-controlled Congress went along with only 44 (23 terminations and 21 reductions), saving slightly more than $2 billion.In a statement issued Tuesday titled "Spending Taxpayer Dollars Wisely," the White House budget office said the proposed cuts for 2009 "will result in savings to taxpayers and improved government services by eliminating or restructuring low-priority and duplicative programs as well as programs that are not producing results."Most of the proposed cuts target the same programs that Bush has tried to slash before.
Thank you,
Action for Children North Carolina
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