NC Children Doing Better and Worse

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NC Children Doing Better and Worse

Special Report - October 18, 2007
While the number of teen pregnancies in North Carolina declined over the last five years, alcohol and drug abuse remained at “unacceptably high levels” among adolescents, according to the 2007 N.C. Child Health Report Card. The study, published annually by Action For Children North Carolina and the N.C. Institute of Medicine, tracks the health and wellness of children and teens over the past several years. Released October 15, the latest report shows several improvements in children’s health, including a nine percent drop over the last six years in the number of pregnancies per 1,000 teenage girls aged 15 to 17. In addition, rates of perinatal HIV/AIDS and congenital Syphilis at birth declined significantly between 2001 and 2006; a higher percentage of children were covered under government-sponsored health insurance in 2006 compared to 2001; and more mothers chose to breastfeed their infants between 2000 and 2004. The percentage of infant mortality, low birth weight, and child fatality remained statistically unchanged. Motor vehicle-related accidents were the leading cause of death due to injury among children, followed by homicide and deaths related to firearms.

The report also highlighted a number of negative child health indicators. North Carolina faired poorly in the area of childhood obesity, with the number of obese children rising for all age groups between 2001 and 2006. Less than half of all high school students were physically active for an hour or more at least five days a week in 2005. High school students continue to use drugs and alcohol at high levels as well. Teen use of marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamines, and alcohol (including beer) all rose marginally between 2001 and 2005. The only substance abuse category to decline was cigarette smoking, with a 7.5 percent drop.