Patterns of childhood medical spending

Article Abstract:

Annual medical costs for children under 21 years old reached $86 billion and may be reduced by established preventive methods. Data from a national survey indicate that most medical spending is incurred by live birth and pregnancy, injury, and respiratory conditions. The financial data of the 1987 National Medical Expenditure Survey were adjusted to reflect December 1993 dollars. Reported pregnancy and birth expenses of $19 billion could be lowered by preventing low birth weights and associated intensive care costs. For example, national food supplement programs during pregnancy contribute to healthier mothers and children, therefore lowering the risk of later complications. Similarly, injury prevention can spare money and lives. For example, child car seats would decrease current injury-related spending of $12 billion. Counseling may prevent injuries from falls, fires, car accidents, or burns. Finally, children would develop fewer asthma symptoms and respiratory tract infections if they were exposed to less secondary smoke. Parent education about tobacco health hazards is advisable.

Economic aspects, Child health services, Preventive health services for children

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Fair-play rules and injury reduction in ice hockey

Article Abstract:

Fair-play rules may reduce the injury rate among youthful ice hockey players. Fair-play rules give extra points to teams with penalties below a certain number and deduct points from teams exceeding the limit. Players and coaches may also be suspended. In a Minnesota ice hockey tournament for players aged 19 or younger, qualifying games were played under fair-play rules, but the championship round was played under standard rules. Overall, 16 teams played 31 games. Twenty-nine injuries occurred of which 11 were considered serious. Injuries during standard-rules play occurred at nearly five times the rate of injuries during fair-play rules. The penalty rate under standard rules was 13 per game versus 7 per game under fair-play rules. Penalties for rough play occurred four times more often under standard rules. This suggests that fair-play rules reduce the number of fouls and thereby the number of injuries those fouls cause.

Sports, Sports injuries, Hockey, Hockey rules, Laws, regulations and rules

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Predicting Clinician Injury Prevention Counseling for Young Children

Article Abstract:

Many pediatricians and family doctors do not discuss firearm injury prevention with parents. Researchers surveyed 325 pediatricians, family doctors, and pediatric nurse practitioners to see if they counseled parents on preventing car accidents, accidental poisoning, drowning, or firearm injuries. Sixty-two percent discussed car accidents, 62% discussed accidental poisoning, 32% discussed drowning and 16% discussed firearm injuries. Women doctors and HMO doctors were most likely to counsel parents on these topics.

Physician and patient, Physician-patient relations, Pediatric injuries, Medicine, Preventive

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