There's An Elephant In the Room.

There's a lot of yammering on both sides of the political spectrum about how important kids are, how much we all care about them, how, after all, children are our future. So, why is it that we consistently fail them when it comes to health care and education? The problems are "in the room," so to speak -- documented and well-known. It's estimated, for example, that 15 to 20% of all children are affected by chronic health conditions -- chronic illnesses including cancer, diabetes, asthma, sickle cell disease, and hemophilia, among others. But child health is not merely physical -- mental health issues are also blaringly evident. One in ten children and adolescents suffer from a major mental illness that significantly impairs their experience at home, at school, and with peers. Suicide is the third leading cause of death of young people aged 15 to 24, right after auto accidents and homicides...a most sobering statistic -- especially for parents of teenagers.

As a nation and as individuals, we're going to have to do something about this. We can't be so focused on saving the world that our own kids fall below the radar as a result. Our education system has clearly left thousands if not millions of children behind, and our health care system is dysfunctional and inadequate to cope with the broad spectrum of chronic physical and mental illnesses affecting our kids today. The problems are so big, it would be foolish not to take note. Our elected officials and the rest of our adult population needs to "see the elephant," and take on the responsibilities inherent in running this "village." Grass-roots, hands-on changes are needed, and needed soon. Without some serious systemic revamping, "Leave no child behind" is nothing more than an empty phrase.

Universal Preschool for all children, for example, would acknowledge what is known -- that kids who get a healthy start -- those who have experiences that help them get "ready to learn" will have a significant headstart in the educational arena. And a family-centered health care and insurance system that includes psychosocial services and prevention tactics, would begin to address child health in a proactive, rather than reactive way.

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