Each year, The Annie E. Casey Foundation’s KIDS COUNT Data Book provides information on the well-being of children across all fifty states. Virginia’s children and youth rank 16th in the country overall. In our October blog posts, Henrico CASA will be breaking down the four main categories of well-being: economic well-being, education, health, & family and community.
In last week’s blog, we discussed the educational well-being of Virginia’s youth. Let’s focus now on their health well-being.
Healthy Well-Being
The four key indicators are:
- Low birth-weight babies- Low birth weight can be caused by a multitude of things, including being born prematurely. However, factors such as smoking, alcohol and drug use during the pregnancy increase the risk of having a low birth weight baby. XYZ babies in Virginia fall into this category.
- Children without health insurance- An average of 87,000 Virginia children go without health insurance. Health insurance ensures that all children have access to regular check-ups, vaccinations, and treatment for illness. Without it, families may be forced to go into debt or delay necessary care for their child.
- Child and teen deaths per 100,000- In Virginia, this average has grown to 30 deaths per 100,000 in comparison to 23 in 2019. Quality healthcare is crucial for addressing the causes and prevention tactics for these deaths.
- Children and Teens (ages 10 to 17) who are overweight – Childhood obesity can be the starting point for a myriad of health and wellness issues. 33% of Virginia’s children are overweight. While obesity can cause physical health issues, it can also impact a child’s self-esteem and worth.
Where does CASA come in?
Court Appointed Special Advocates serve as coordinators and can help ensure that there is a plan in place for a child’s physical and mental health development.
Interested in taking a part in our mission to change a child’s story? Learn more here: Advocate | Henrico CASA
