Child Public Health Resources
Reading archive
Hot Reads for Child Public Health March 2006
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Economic evaluation of neonatal screening for phenylketonuria and congenital hypothyroidism.
Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health 2005;41(11):575
Costs of screening were based on the program provided within Western Australia. Costs averted were derived using patterns of care currently adopted in Western Australia and applied according to historical patterns of intellectual disability for each condition. A net saving of $A2.9 million was attributable to the program annually, derived from the prevention of intellectual disability which otherwise incurs costs throughout the life of the affected individual. -
Cost effectiveness analysis of strategies for maternal and neonatal health in developing countries
BMJ2005;331:1107 (12 November)
Two regions classified by the World Health Organization according to their epidemiological grouping were selected: Afr-E, those countries in sub-Saharan Africa and Sear-D, comprising countries in South East Asia with high adult and high child mortality. The most cost effective mix of interventions was similar in Afr-E and Sear-D. These were the community based newborn care package, followed by antenatal care (tetanus toxoid, screening for pre-eclampsia, screening and treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria and syphilis); skilled attendance at birth, offering first level maternal and neonatal care around childbirth; and emergency obstetric and neonatal care around and after birth. Screening and treatment of maternal syphilis, community based management of neonatal pneumonia, and steroids given during the antenatal period were relatively less cost effective in Sear-D. Scaling up all of the included interventions to 95% coverage would halve neonatal and maternal deaths. (If you are looking what to invest in prior to the cancellation of all poor country debt, a fairer international taxation system, ‘dealing’ with the transnationals so that they benefit poor countries, not exploit them, and eliminating poverty……….. and unless that occurs, the world will continue to chase its tail doing the same thing year and year out in an attempt to halve the mortality rate!! GA) -
2004 Australian national drug strategy household survey: detailed findings. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Canberra. October 200 A huge amount of data and a substantial section on youth 12-19 years. A few highlights - Children aged 12–15 years, two in a hundred (2.3%) smoked tobacco daily (males: 2.0%, females: 2.6%). For those aged 16–17 years, this difference between males and females had widened: one in thirteen (7.5%) males smoked daily and one in seven (14.5%) females smoked daily. Between the ages of 12–13 years and 18–19 years there was a tenfold increase in daily or weekly alcohol consumption. For most illicit drug types, a lower proportion of 12–15-year-olds had used in the last 12 months than of any other age group, the main exception being inhalants (1.1%). Two in three (68.8%) smokers and three in four ex-smokers aged 12–15 obtained their first cigarette from a friend or acquaintance. ‘Friends or acquaintances’ and ‘theft’ were each a more likely source of first supply for 12–17-year-olds than they were for those aged 18 years and older. (those into data and young people – read on………, but unfortunately, no trend data. GA)
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Are Public Expenditures Associated with Better Child Outcomes in the U.S.? A Comparison across 50 States
The Society for the Study of Psychological Issues Vol 5 No. 1 2005
Public expenditures on children are related to better child outcomes across a wide range of indicators including measures of child mortality, elementary school test scores, and adolescent behavioural outcomes. (What do the neo-liberals say about this one??!!?? – GA) -
Early Breastfeeding Cessation in Rural Senegal: Causes, Modes, and Consequences
American Journal of Public Health January 2006, Vol 96, No. 1 | 139-144 Data were analysed on 12208 children born between 1987 and 1997 in a rural area of Senegal. Fewer than 1% of children had been weaned early. The main reasons for early weaning were maternal death and new pregnancy (in 41% and 27% of cases, respectively). Twenty percent of children had been relactated by a wet nurse, and 16% had received formula. Many early-weaned children died before the age of 2 years (26%), particularly those weaned early as a result of the mother’s death. (a very different picture from early weaning in the developed world. GA) -
Minimum Purchasing Age for Alcohol and Traffic Crash Injuries Among 15- to 19-Year-Olds in New Zealand
American Journal of Public Health January 2006, Vol 96, No. 1 | 126-131In 1999, New Zealand lowered the minimum purchasing age for alcohol from 20 to 18 years. Among young men, the ratio of the alcohol-involved crash rate after the law change to the period before was 12% larger for 18- to 19-year-olds and 14% larger for 15- to 17-year-olds, relative to 20- to 24-year-olds. Among young women, the equivalent ratios were 51% larger for 18- to 19-year-olds and 24% larger for 15- to 17-year-olds. A similar pattern was observed for hospitalized injuries. (I think my illiterate grandmother could have predicted that one. Do you think the lowering of age had anything to do with increasing alcohol sales, and increasing profits for the liquor industry?? No of course not!!!?? GA) -
Smoking in the Movies Increases Adolescent Smoking: A Review
PEDIATRICS Vol. 116 No. 6 December 2005, pp. 1516-1528
This article presents a systematic review of the evidence on the nature and effect of smoking in the movies on adolescents (and others). Smoking in the movies decreased from 1950 to ~1990 and then increased rapidly. In 2002, smoking in movies was as common as it was in 1950. Beginning in 2002, the total amount of smoking in movies was greater in youth-rated (G/PG/PG-13) films than adult-rated (R) films. The authors conclude that strong empirical evidence indicates that smoking in movies increases adolescent smoking initiation. They recommend amending the movie-rating system to rate movies containing smoking as "R" which should reduce adolescent exposure to smoking and subsequent smoking. -
Childhood Residential Mobility and Multiple Health Risks During Adolescence and Adulthood
Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med.2005;159:1104-1110.
Previous data from the US suggest a relationship between mobility and increased health risk, but this relationship might be confounded by unmeasured adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). After adjustment for demographic variables, the risk of high residential mobility during childhood (≥8 moves) was 1.7- to 3.1-fold for each ACE, and increased with the number of ACEs. Compared with respondents who never moved, the odds of health risk for respondents with high mobility during childhood ranged from 1.3 (for smoking) to 2.5 (for suicide). However, when the number of ACEs was entered into multivariate models, the relationship between mobility and health problems was greatly reduced. (A secure positive early childhood appears to immunise against many things. More info for advocacy.