December 26, 2007

By Gary Smith
for The Hansford County Reporter-Statesman

SPEARMAN, Texas (STPNS) -- Statewide, maternal and infant health are improving, as more women are receiving prenatal care, infant mortality is improving, and teen births are continuing to decline, according to a new report by the Austin-based Center for Public Policy Priorities (CPPP). The report, The State of Texas Children 2007, provides the latest look at the well-being of children in every county in Texas.

“The report finds that when it comes to maternal and infant health, Texas has much to be thankful for,” said Frances Deviney, Texas KIDS COUNT Director. “At the same time, work remains in other areas. Statewide, child poverty is up for the fifth straight year, unemployment has increased, and Texas continues to have the highest rates of uninsured children in the nation.”

State and Hansford County Findings:

In Hansford County, the proportion of women receiving little or no prenatal care decreased by 24% since 2002. As of 2004, 21 babies (or 18.8% of all births) were born to women who received little or no prenatal care, ranking the county 89 of Texas’ 254 counties. Nearly one in four babies statewide is born to mothers who receive little or no prenatal care.

In Hansford County, the infant mortality rate has decreased by 100% since since 2000. As of 2004, 0 babies died prematurely, ranking Hansford County 1 of the 254 counties. Statewide, infant mortality has increased by 8.6% since 2000.

In Hansford County, the rate of babies born to teens declined by 11% since 2000. As of 2004, 14 babies were born to Hansford County teens, ranking Hansford County 42 of the 254 counties. However, Texas still has the highest teen birth rate in the country. Statewide, births to teens ages 13-19 have declined by 10.3% since 2000.

These findings follow a recent Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) survey of new Texas mothers that finds that statewide, new mothers are engaging in healthier behaviors:

• The percent of Texas women who drank alcohol during the last three months of their pregnancy dropped by 8.3% from 2002 to 2003.

• The percent of Texas mothers who breastfed or pumped breast milk to feed their baby after delivery increased by 2.3% from 2002 to 2003 (from 74.8 to 76.5%).

• The percent of Texas women who were slightly or moderately depressed in the months after delivery increased by 1.23% from 48.5% in 2002 to 49.1% in 2003.

Other Findings for Hansford County: 18.8 percent of Hansford County children live in poverty, ranking Hansford County 63 of the 254 counties. The child poverty rate has remained stable in Hansford County since 2000.

The proportion of Hansford County’s total population living in poverty has has not changed since 2000, ranking Hansford County 69 of 245 counties. As of 2004, 697 people, or 13.5% of the population, live in poverty.

Death rate for Hansford County children ages 1-14 increased from no deaths in 2000. There was 1 death (or 87.108013937 per 100,000 children) in 2005, ranking Hansford County 235 out of 254 counties.

The rate of violent deaths for teens ages 15-19 declined 100% since 2000, with 0 deaths (or 0 per 100,000 teens) in 2005. Hansford County ranks 1 out of 254 counties.

Policy Solutions

Increase outreach about Texas’ new perinatal program. The program is expected to provide health coverage to 35,000 lowincome women under the Children’s Health Insurance Program.

Develop a work support system that enables working families to meet their basic needs. Ensure that families remain eligible for public assistance until they earn enough to meet their basic needs. Poverty is one of the biggest predictors of infant mortality and other health and societal ills.

Make higher education more accessible and affordable for Texans. Increase commitment to community colleges and ensure that higher education remains affordable.

Expand job training and career development opportunities for working adults. Make work pay with policies that help low-wage workers move into jobs with living wages.

To learn how Hansford County or Texas as a whole fared across all indicators, including health care, education, and child abuse, visit www.cppp.org/factbook07. To access the full report, visit http://www.cppp.org/ research.php?aid=728.

The Hansford County Reporter-Statesman / STPNS

http://www.stpns.net/view_article.html?articleId=76043201062187302

Emphasis added by H4K Editor