Radio Commentary
Each year, some
350,000 children are born to mothers who are addicted to cocaine. And 40,000
children are born with alcohol-related birth defects.
Those
staggering numbers have tremendous implications for our health care system and
our school systems.
These children are likely to have
strikingly short attention spans, poor coordination, and language problems.
They are almost two times more likely to need special education.
Their
ability to learn is severely hampered by their physical challenges. Yet so much
of these consequences are preventable, which makes the situation all the more
tragic.
For example, one-fifth of America’s
preschool children have not been vaccinated against polio. Yet the heartbreak
and consequences of this terrible disease are completely preventable.
One-fourth of all pregnant women get
no physical care of any sort during the crucial first trimester of their
pregnancy.
It is estimated there would be 20 percent
fewer handicapped children if their mothers received just one physical exam in
the first trimester.
Modern
medicine can detect all sorts of potential problems. And basic care can prevent
many common maladies.
We know that children are our
future. We know that they will lead our world. We know our future is in their
hands.
What
are we doing about their future, right now, while we can?
