A national poll on children's health conducted by the University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children's Hospital released 8-15-2011 found that adults rank drug abuse, and childhood obesity as top health concerns for children.
The poll, conducted in May 2011, asked adults to rate 23 different health concerns for children in thier commmunities.
The top 10 making the list are:
- Childhood obesity - 33 percent
- Drug Abuse - 33 percent
- Smoking and tobacco use - 25 percent
- Teen pregnancy - 24 percent
- Bullying - 24 percent
- Internet safety - 23 percent
- Stress - 22 percent
- Alcohol abuse - 20 oercent
- Driving accidents - 20 percent
- Sexting - 20 percent
"And although drug abuse was rated as a big problem by children of Hispanic and black adults than white adults,national data indicate use of illicit drugs is indeed higher among blacks and Hispanics than whites in 8th grade, but is similar across race/ethnicity by 12th grade," the study reported.
C.S. Mott Children's Hospital Poll
Public concern about children, and drug abuse has increased, especially since the epidemic of prescription drug abuse has been all over the media with celebrities both dying, and suspected of dying from there abuse as well as the incredible amount of teens dying from substance abuse, and addiction. Whether this will translate into more support for treatment, and prevention efforts remains to be seen. Since the economy tanked, funding for these programs is drying up, and being cut.
"One of the more notable findings from this Poll involves the varied ratings by race/ethnicity. Hispanic adults were more likely than black or white to have concerns about family-focused issues, including teen pregnancy, and child abuse & neglect. In contrast, black adults expressed deep concerns about the safety of the communities in which the children live, in a way that Hispanic and whites did not. Gun-related injuries, school violence and unsafe neighborhoods were top 10 concerns for black adults, but none of the three made the top 10 for white or Hispanic adults. These differences provide insight into the way child health differs across populations, and emphasizes the need for local programs to address community-specific priorities," concluded the Poll.
With Detroit having the problems it is right now, including violent crime, dismal school graduation rates, lack of money, corruption, drug abuse, blight, flight, it is extremely important to address the need for local programs to address these problems.
Of course, the suburbs are not flying high by any means, and have their share of problems including drug abuse. Unless we start tackling these problems they will continue to effect all of us no matter what side of 8 Mile Rd. we live on.
Peace...
- The adolescent brain is not fully developed, making a young person extremely vulnerable to drug and alcohol addiction among other problems.
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