An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure: Improving child safety and child health could save U.S. $65 billion June 10, 2009

Improving the health of our nation’s children under the age of five in just four categories would likely reduce our future health care expenditures by $65 billion a new study shows.

Researchers report that tobacco exposure, unintentional injury, obesity and mental health are the four greatest problems facing our nation’s youngest. If we can check these problems in children younger than five, they will lead significantly healthier lives and burden the nation’s health care system much less. Preschool-age children suffering from problems in these four categories are at a higher risk for health problems as they mature and age.

About one-third to one-half of American children are adversely affected by one of these four health problems. However, tobacco exposure and unintentional injuries were found to be the largest threat to child health while obesity has just been officially labeled as a major health problems for American preschool children.

About 25 percent of American children are victims of tobacco exposure and 500,000 babies are born every year in America whose mothers smoked while pregnant. Reducing tobacco exposure in children younger than five would save the U.S. $500 million.

The largest child health problem in financial terms is unintentional injuries. Unintentional injuries are the leading cause of death, disability and medical bills for Americans under the age of 19. Unintentional injuries suffered in the first four years of life cause $4.7 billion in lifetime medical expense and $14 billion in lost productivity. For more information on protecting your child from unintentional injuries read this Florida Child Injury Lawyer blog on water safety, this Florida Child Injury Lawyer blog on car seat safety, this Florida Child Injury Lawyer blog on furniture safety, this Florida Child Injury Lawyer blog on childproofing your home, and this Florida Child Injury Lawyer blog on age appropriate child safety tips.