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 require special education.
Their ability to learn is severely hampered by their physical challenges. Yet so many 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?
