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Hood River News Editorial
January 31, 2007
Health concerns among children can be a
daunting challenge.
In a few such measurements: the Children’s First data book for 2006
reveals that 15 percent of children in Hood River County are
uninsured, and child obesity is at 26 percent — increases from 2005 in
both cases — and the number of women receiving early prenatal care
also went down slightly in 2005.
There are 2,396 low-income children in the county, according to the
report by the non-partisan advocacy group Children First. No one would
say that being low income equates directly to poor health, but
combined with other factors it is a telling fact that more than 10
percent of the county’s population of 21,181 is made up of children in
that social-economic stratum.
Additionally, 33 percent of eighth-graders received no dental care in
2006, but this is one area where a group of local dentists is trying
to make a difference — as they do every year.
The event in question, “Give A Kid A Smile day” returns Friday
(details in
On Friday, dentists
‘Give Kids A Smile’).
This day of free health care for low-income children is a testament to
the ability of local citizens, with expertise, to contribute to
improved health for local children.
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