Thousands of child deaths linked to no insurance

2009-10-30 03:50:47 (GMT) (WiredPRNews.com - Medical News, News)

Wired PR News reports thousands of child deaths have been linked to a lack of health insurance.

Thousands of child deaths in the U.S. may be attributed to a lack of health insurance.

U.S. WiredPRNews.com) – New research suggests that thousands of child deaths may be attributed to a lack of health insurance. As reported by HealthDay News, Johns Hopkins Children’s Center researchers released a report suggesting approximately 17,000 deaths of children over the past 20 years may have been linked to insufficient health care coverage.

David C. Chang, study co-author and Hopkins pediatric surgery outcomes research group co-director, is quoted in the report as stating of the impact a lack of insurance can have on medical treatment, “This is actually something we as a society … can choose to do something about. It’s literally with the stroke of somebody’s pen, this could be changed.”

Bruce Lesley, First Focus child and family advocacy group president, is further quoted as stating of the high mortality rate for individuals who do not have health insurance, “You knew that it existed, you knew that there were cases [of child deaths related to lack of insurance], but I think this data is pretty shocking and really points to the need for national health reform.”

More information about the study may be available in the Oct. 30 online publication of the Journal of Public Health.

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