Children's Health Trends in Washington, DC

Children’s Health Trends in Washington, DC

Brianne Penrod

1.       Asthma: Asthma is the most common problem that faces children nationwide, and DC is no exception. Not only does it affect children’s health, but it affects their school attendance and activity level. Children’s National reports that children in DC under age 5 visit the emergency department five times more often than children nationally. Children who are in a minority or are of lower socioeconomic status are affected more often as well.

2.       Obesity: Obesity is plaguing Americans all over the nation. Unfortunately, children are being affected as well. Low activity levels, poor food choices, and lack of understanding are all contributing factors. Many campaigns are targeting this very issue. For example, the First Lady’s initiative, “Let’s Move” is being implemented. Programs like “Lighten up” also are making a difference.

3.       Burns: Many children visit the hospital because of burns. Many burns are preventable. Parents should work to make their homes safe for their children and to avoid situations where they could be burned. For example: keep the hot water heater at a lower temperature, make a “kids free zone” around fireplaces, stoves, and ovens, keep irons, flat irons, etc. away from kids’ reach, and keep candles out of children’s reach.

4.       Oral Health: Oral health is particularly important in childhood. Children are taught early the importance of good oral hygiene. Initiatives in DC are improving children’s overall oral health and are lowering the incidence of cavities. For example, there are programs that provide children a fluoride varnish to prevent cavities and improve enamel.

5.       Congenital Heart Disease: Congenital Heart Disease is the most common birth defect among children born in DC. Eight out of every 1000 babies are born with CHD, and some babies are discharged from the hospital with CHD undiagnosed. There is a simple screening that is performed in the first 24 hours of life that can detect potential problems called the pulse-ox test. This screening is becoming part of the protocol at birth.

I contacted Katie Pollard who is a healthy trends examiner for examiner.com in the DC area. She is a certified health educator and has a health promotion degree from the College of Charleston.