Number Of Uninsured North Carolina Children Increased Since 2001

The number of uninsured children in North Carolina increased by 20% since 2001, according to an annual report by Action for Children North Carolina and North Carolina Institute of Medicine, the Raleigh News & Observerreports. According to the report, 13.2% of children in the state wereuninsured last year. The report showed improvement in children's healthin some areas since 2001, including fewer asthma-relatedhospitalizations, fewer teen pregnancies and fewer children poisoned bylead.

However, the report also found that nearly 29.5% of teenagersfrom low-income families are overweight -- a 13.5% increase from 2001-- and less than half of Medicaid-eligible children receive any dentalservices. The report found that one in five North Carolina childrengoes to kindergarten with untreated tooth decay. In addition, thenumber of North Carolina children enrolled in public health insuranceprograms increased by 36% since 2001, according to the report(Sadgrove, Raleigh News & Observer, 10/15).
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