Far from the ideal: the plight of poor children in the United States

Article Abstract:

The children in the United States are medically underserved and many are neglected. There are 47,000,000 or more individuals who lack adequate health care or provisions for these services; 37,000,000 live in poverty, an additional 10,000,000 have no health insurance, and untold numbers receive inadequate care. Of the many reasons offered for this dismal situation, financial factors are the most common reason. The explanations used to defend our withholding health care from infants and children include the expanding national debt, wars, political expediencies, and local and state budgetary shortfalls. Children also lack the political strength of other groups. They have little, if any, voice in the decision making process. The American Academy of Pediatrics has recently assumed a child health care advocacy role in political arenas. Children of drug addicted mothers and those born to HIV-positive mothers are the recipients of the legacy of a society that is indifferent or unable to deal with the problems of adults. The health of children does not encourage or excite large donors, or rallying cries in the halls of government. Instead, they receive minimal coverage at best. Inadequate health care extends to adolescents as well. Society bemoans increased infant mortality and the increasing rate of adolescent motherhood, but does little to reduce these rates. To protect our children, our most valuable resource, requires a complete change in our national health policy. To adequately provide for our children, their parents and others, health care providers must support changes to improve the plight of children in the US. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Health aspects, Children, Political aspects, Ethical aspects, Health planning, Medical care, Cost of, Health care costs, Child health, Medical policy, Health policy, Poor children, Child health services

---

A pertussis vaccine myth dies

Article Abstract:

Over the years there has been an association between inoculation against pertussis (whooping cough) and encephalopathy (brain damage). A recent article by Griffin et al. and an editorial by Cherry, both in the March 23/30, 1990 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, concludes that there is no link between pertussis vaccine and neuropathy. What is particularly noteworthy is that reports claiming an association were unable to find any diagnostic test that was specific for pertussis vaccine-induced encephalopathy. Also, children who died from this purported complication failed to exhibit any specific pathology at autopsy. Perhaps the myth arose because various neurologic diseases occur at about the same time of life that infants receive inoculations. It is also true that individuals appear to have a natural inclination to assign misfortune - including illness - a neat explanation. Parents also find it difficult to accept deformity or illness of the child as potential causes, and look rather for an outside source to blame. Desiring retribution against the doctor or manufacturer of a vaccine is also a common defense mechanism. In the August 1990 issue of American Journal of Diseases of Children, an article by Mortimer et al. provides evidence that a new vaccine that does not contain whole cells is effective in the prevention of pertussis. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Prevention, Causes of, Complications and side effects, Product liability, Vaccines, Products liability, Brain-damaged children, Whooping-cough, Whooping cough, Pertussis vaccines

---

Change and response to change

Article Abstract:

Despite the recent cataclysmic changes in world events, we continue to be surprised by change. This has been particularly true in the medical profession. The traditional single practitioner system of delivering medical services has given way to the group practice, HMOs (Health Maintenance Organizations), preferred provider systems, referral hospitals, and other complex health care systems. However, the profession was unprepared for this change and for many years resisted it, believing that change would destroy medical practice. However, these new developments have not had a destructive effect, merely reflect advances in medical practice. There have been significant changes in medical education as well, but some faculties have resisted altering curriculum, new teaching methods and approaches to clinical education. It is imperative that the medical community be more receptive to inevitable change, even if it means abandoning traditions that have become comfortable. Among the issues that must be addressed are the high cost of medical care, the shortage of physicians in rural areas and the inner city, and the under-representation of minorities in the profession. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Analysis, Medical economics, Medicine, Practice, Social change, Medical practice

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Anthropometric evaluation of children with chronic liver disease. Normal vitamin E status in sickle hemoglobinopathies in Colorado
• Abstracts: Transfusion-associated acute Chagas disease acquired in the United States. Is Trypanosoma cruzi a new threat to our blood supply?
• Abstracts: Hemiparesis and ischemic changes of the white matter after intrathecal therapy for children with acute lymphocytic leukemia
• Abstracts: Response to treatment of congenital adrenal hyperplasia in infancy. Dexamethasone treatment for congenital adrenal hyperplasia
• Abstracts: Silent myocardial ischemia: is the person or the event silent? Length of stay in the intensive care unit: effects of practice guidelines and feedback

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.