An Introduction to Community & Public Health 8th Edition by James McKenzie, Pinger

Exercise 1

• Good health during the childhood years (ages 1-9) is essential for each child's optimal development and America's future. America cannot hope for every child to become a productive member of society if children in this country are allowed to grow up with poor or mediocre child care, have no health insurance, live in poverty, or live in a violent environment.
• The federal government has more than 35 health programs within 16 different agencies helping states to serve the needs of our nation's children. The majority of these programs is well respected and helps meet the needs of many children.
We have learned that a lack of prenatal care increases the risk of premature delivery and possible health problems for the infant.
The cost of treating Joan's infant could run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars, and there is no guarantee that the child will survive. Do you think it would be more cost effective to ensure prenatal care to all women or to continue under the system that is in place now? How would you suggest the United States approach this problem?