Children's Health in Rhode Island Series
produced by Alex Nunes.

Asthma in Children
by Bob Seay
WRNI (September 4, 2006)

One doctor describes Asthma as feeling like an elephant sitting on your chest. While doctors are making progress in treating the condition, it is still becoming more common, affecting an estimated one out of every ten Rhode Island Children. WRNI's Bob Seay discussed asthma with Doctor Robert Klein, the director of the Draw a Breath program at Hasbro Children's Hospital.

Methamphetamine and Pregnancy
by Bob Seay
WRNI (September 5, 2006)

Researchers at Brown University have found that use of the drug methamphetamine by pregnant women can have about the same effect on their children as cocaine use. The research is published in this week's issue of Pediatrics. WRNI'S Bob Seay discussed drug use by pregnant women with the author of the study, Doctor Barry Lester, Professor of Pediatrics and Psychiatry at Brown Medical School.

Children's Psychiatric Health
by Bob Seay
WRNI (September 6, 2006)

Across the country when parents recognize mental health issues for their children they find it difficult to get treatment. The problem is particularly acute in Rhode Island , where doctors receive lower re-imbursement for providing such services. WRNI visits the only children's psychiatric hospital in the state. During the school year, Bradley Hospital frequently exceeds its capacity and must place patients in the emergency wing of Hasbro Children's Hospital. Doctor Greg Fritz, the Medical Director at Bradley, says many problems could be prevented, if children could get care sooner.

Children's Dental Health
by Bob Seay
WRNI (September 7, 2006)

Many children's advocates in Rhode Island say the top public health problem for children in this state is access to dental care. Rhode Island kids count says only about half of the children enrolled in the state health insurance program Rite-Care do not see a dentist. That's in part because many dentists do not accept Rite-Care patients because of low reimbursement rates. Some community health programs have created what they call the dental safety net to make sure care is available. Wrni's Bob Seay visited one of those clinics, the Providence Community Health Center Clinic on Broad Street . He spoke with Center Executive Director Merril Thomas.

Children's Obesity
by Bob Seay
WRNI (September 8, 2006)

Childhood obesity in Rhode Island is on the rise. The state Department of Health says five years ago about 17 percent of children entering kindergarten were obese. Now it's 20 percent. One organization working to reduce childhood obesity is Kids First, which organizes nutritional education and training programs for children and their families around the state. Wrni's Bob Seay discussed childhood obesity with Kids First Director Dorothy Brayley.

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