Remarks as prepared; not a transcript. RADM Kenneth P. Moritsugu, M.D., M.P.H Acting Surgeon General U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Helping Children Secure a Healthier Future for Our Nation
Tuesday, December 19, 2006 23rd Annual Head Start Parent Training Conference
"Helping Children Secure a Healthier Future for Our Nation" Opening and Acknowledgements Thank you, Sylvia, for that gracious introduction. Good morning, everyone. I appreciate the opportunity to be here with you today. It is a privilege to deliver the conference's final remarks before you depart today. The way I see it, this is one of the most important conferences of the year... and the jobs you do are some of the most important in the United States. As parents, teachers, and administrators — you are helping to shape our nation's youth. Your commitment to early education and your daily sacrifices truly shape the minds, bodies, and spirits of our youngest Americans. And your work to help children get a "head start" in life is helping to secure a healthier future for our nation. Just in case you haven't heard it in a while, let me start out by saying, "Thank you." My bosses, Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt and Assistant Secretary John Agwunobi, and I have the utmost respect for the work you do every day. Just before I left D-C I was speaking with Wade horn, the Assistant Secretary for the Administration for Children and Families who sends his regards as well. Thank you Kenvell Covart for allowing me to be a part of this gathering today. [Kenvell Covart, NHSA National Conference Chairperson] Ron Herndon and Sarah Greene, thank you for your leadership in supporting Head Start through the National Head Start Association. [Ron Herndon, Chair, NHSA Board of Directors; Sarah Greene, President and CEO, NHSA] Head Start Since 1965, the Head Start program has enrolled more than 23 million children. And in this past year, over one million children across our great nation enrolled in Head Start. H-H-S is proud to support the Head Start Program. The H-H-S Administration for Children and Families funds more than 1,600 Head Start grantees in over 2,200 urban, suburban, and rural communities in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. Territories. But we know that it is the partnerships among government, community and faith-based organizations, schools, communities, parents, and other leaders that really make Head Start successful. Last year, H-H-S grants helped to pay the salaries of more than 200,000 Head Start employees. And as you know, there are more than one million dedicated Head Start volunteers. It's truly impressive to me that nearly 30% of Head Start employees and almost 100% of volunteers are parents of Head Start children. In many ways, parents are truly responsible for sustaining Head Start and making it so strong. Head Start helps to level the playing field for children all across America. And it helps our nation to live up to its reputation as the land of opportunity. No matter what race, gender, socioeconomic status, or disability a child has, every child ? and I mean every child — deserves a high-quality education. And every child deserves an equal opportunity. Head Start makes the American Dream possible all across our nation. But, to give our youth a Head Start in early education, our children must have a healthy start in life. Our children's ability to learn - which is to say their ability to listen, comprehend, and develop mentally and apply what they learn - is directly related to their health. If children do not have enough food to eat, they cannot think properly. If children are sick, they miss out on days of school. The bottom line is that the state of our children's health is linked to academic performance and to their futures and to the future of our great nation. Priorities I am very impressed by the health issues that were addressed by this conference over the past few days. In fact, many of the topics you addressed during this conference intersect with the priorities of the Office of the Surgeon General. I want to take a few moments to tell you about those priorities, why we feel they are so important, and how you can get involved. Our first priority is Prevention. — What each of us can do in our own lives and communities to make ourselves and our families healthier. The second priority is Public Health Preparedness for all hazards – natural and human made. The third priority we're focusing on relentlessly is Eliminating Health Disparities.
Health disparities is a term that we use often in Washington to describe differences in health status between one population and another. But the truth is that too many of our communities face the realities of health disparities every day. And too often there are health disparities between minorities, inner city communities, low-income people, and the rest of the population. It is unacceptable to Secretary Leavitt, Assistant Secretary Agwunobi, and me that in our great nation, with our global leadership in science and medicine, we still have major disparities in health and health care delivery. Prevention Today, I want focus our attention on priority #1 ? Prevention. Prevention is the cornerstone of everything that we do at H-H-S. If you talk to any president, world leader, health professional, educator, or parent, the feeling is universal ? we want the best for our kids – because our kids are our future. We want all children to have the best there is ? the best opportunities, the best education, the best health, the greatest happiness. We want them to be better off than we are. As a father of a four-year-old myself and Acting Surgeon General, I feel this with my whole heart, my very being. It goes beyond the professional – it is very personal. And I see the human face of what this is all about – everyday – before I leave home in the morning and when I return home in the evening. It is one of the reasons why I joined the Department of Health and Human Services. Children represent a large portion of our nation, but they are 100% of our future. And prevention is a key factor in securing a healthy future for our nation's youth. Prevention is a priority for us because of the fact that each year millions of Americans get sick and too many die from preventable causes. Too little is spent on prevention. Right now we've got it backwards. We live in a treatment-oriented society. We need to change to a prevention-oriented society. We wait years and years, doing nothing about unhealthy eating habits and lack of physical activity, until people get sick. Then we spend lots of money on costly treatments to try to make people well, often when it is already too late. We need to refocus our efforts on preventing disease, illness, and injury. There is always time to start leading a healthy life. And it is never too early to start teaching children the fundamentals of healthy living. For children, six key steps can help prevent disease: - Good nutrition,
- Physical activity,
- Maintenance of a healthy weight,
- Regular health screenings,
- Vaccinations,
and - Preventing exposure to tobacco and secondhand smoke.
And we – each of us – can help assure that our kids benefit from these six steps. They are not difficult – but they take commitment and resolve. The State of Child Health So how are we doing as a nation in following these key prevention steps? What is the state of our children's health? Let's start with the good news: Most of America's children are healthy. Overall, 82% of our nation's children are in very good or excellent health. The infant mortality rate has declined to its lowest level ever. Immunization rates for vaccines routinely recommended for children between 19 and 35 months of age are at record highs. And for the first time in the past 10 years, rates for the full series of recommended vaccines are being met across racial and ethic groups.
Less than 100 years ago, most childhood illnesses and death were caused by diseases that are now preventable by vaccination. And we are seeing some very specific, important gains in the health of children enrolled in Head Start. For example, Parents also report that Head Start had a positive impact on children's dental care and children's health status. Those are all very positive gains. Obesity: A Growing Crisis Unfortunately, there are some gains that we're not so happy about. The gains that we are concerned about are the ones affecting our children's waistlines. Today, 18% of American children are overweight. And obesity is taking a heavier toll on minority communities: Obesity is a crisis affecting every state, every city, every community, and every school across our great nation. It's the fastest-growing cause of disease and death in America. And obesity is completely preventable. Obesity affects more than meets the eye. It is more than a matter of size or even self esteem. Excess weight significantly increases our kids' risk factors for a range of health problems — including diabetes, heart disease, and asthma. We are starting to see these adult diseases affecting our young children, including heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes, previously considered an adult disease, has increased dramatically in children and adolescents. And in American Indian adolescents, the incidence of type 2 diabetes has surpassed type 1 diabetes. As many of you know, overweight and obesity are closely linked to type 2 diabetes. And childhood overweight doesn't necessarily go away with age. Overweight adolescents have a 70% chance of becoming overweight or obese adults. This risk increases to 80% if one or more parent is overweight or obese. The state of our children today impacts their future, and our future as a healthy nation. If we don't deal with this now, we can forget our hopes for a healthier, stronger America in future years. The health crisis of childhood obesity can be solved — and it will take a wide range of adjustments in the lives of our children. Weight is a sensitive topic, even for adults. But it is important that we openly discuss it in a way doesn't stigmatize children, or what I call the "blame game." Instead of blaming children for being overweight, we need to encourage them and help them to make healthier choices. And I want to encourage everyone who has the ability to teach our nation's children about healthy eating and physical activity. To prevent and reduce obesity, we must: Teach our children to enjoy healthy foods in healthy portions. Limit unhealthy snacks like french fries, potato chips, and sugary foods... And provide our children with healthy snacks such as fruit, carrots, and apple wedges. and Encourage all children to be physically active for at least 60 minutes a day. Not only sports, but simple things like taking the stairs, riding their bikes, and just getting out and playing.
Right now, the average American child spends more than four hours every day watching television, playing video games, or surfing the web. We need to get our children moving. Most importantly, we need to model the behavior we want our kids to exhibit. How often do kids fail to listen to what we say; but how often do our kids imitate what we do. These steps help prevent some of the adult diseases that we are now seeing in younger children. These steps can also help children with asthma, a problem that is disproportionately affecting our Head Start children. Asthma Asthma is a disease that affects the lungs. It is one of the most common long-term diseases impacting our nation's children. And it literally takes their breath away. Asthma causes repeated episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and coughing. And, as many of you know, asthma is the highest reported health condition in Head Start programs. Nationwide, the rate of asthma in young children has increased by 160% in the past 15 years. Today, one out of every 13 school-age children has asthma. Asthma provides a clear example of how our children's health can affect their education. Every year, children miss 14 million school days each year because of asthma. When they miss school days, they miss opportunities to learn. The initial onset of asthma cannot yet be prevented or cured. However, by working with your health professional and taking a few small steps at home, asthma can be controlled. There are a few steps that we can all take to help reduce the heavy impact that asthma is having on children. We must: Help children to maintain a healthy weight; Ensure that children get a flu shot. Among children with asthma, only about a third of children receive the flu vaccination each year; Help children avoid contact with environmental "triggers" such as cockroaches, dust mites, furry pets, and mold; and Keep children away from tobacco smoke.
Preventing children from being exposed to secondhand smoke, especially in the home or car, could drastically help children with asthma and prevent other lung diseases in children. Secondhand Smoke Smoking is the largest preventable cause of disease, disability, and death in the United States. Every year, more than 440,000 people die from smoking related diseases. These are not just numbers. They are grandparents, mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, friends, and community leaders who die unnecessarily. The Office of the Surgeon General has a long history of exposing the risks of tobacco use. I want to tell you about one of my personal role models. He was a man who had vision and spoke out in the face of adversity... because it was important to the American people. In 1964, Surgeon General Luther Terry issued the groundbreaking Surgeon General's Report on smoking and health. The role of the Surgeon General is to protect and maintain the health of the American people. And Surgeon General Terry knew that to meet that obligation, he would have to call for a fundamental change in how our country viewed tobacco at the time. Dr. Terry also knew that by issuing the results of the research available to him at the time — research that showed causality between smoking and three diseases — he was taking aim at one of the pervasive symbols of American life — the cigarette. Back in 1964, nearly half of all Americans smoked. As a matter of fact, until he started work on his smoking Report, the Surgeon General himself was a smoker. Needless to say, when he released this report, Dr. Terry quit smoking. One day he was a smoker, and the next day he wasn't. The science was clear. Smoking is bad for your health, especially your lungs. It is bad for parents, and it is especially bad for children. Today, more than 40 years later, the science is even more clear. Smoking causes disease in nearly every organ in the body, at every stage of life, here and around the world. The statistics are compelling: For every person who dies from tobacco-related illness, 20 more people are living with at least one serious tobacco-related illness. Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of death in the United States.
This past summer, the Office of the Surgeon General released our latest Report: The Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke. Smoking not only impacts the smoker, but often loved ones and friends around the smoker. The reality is that more than 126 million non-smoking Americans are exposed to secondhand smoke. Everyone knew how bad smoking is, but this new Report confirmed that smoking is actually worse than we thought. We now know that secondhand smoke contains more than 250 toxins and cancer-causing chemicals, including formaldehyde, benzene, vinyl chloride, arsenic, ammonia, and hydrogen cyanide – sounds serious! Well, it is! Every year, secondhand smoke causes tens of thousands of heart disease deaths and approximately 3,000 lung cancer deaths among American nonsmokers. And too many of our nation's children are being exposed to secondhand smoke. Children who are exposed to secondhand smoke are inhaling many of the same cancer-causing substances and poisons as smokers. As a matter of fact, because their bodies are still developing, infants and young children are especially vulnerable to the poisons in secondhand smoke. This exposure compromises their health in dozens of ways. Babies whose mothers smoke while pregnant and babies who are exposed to secondhand smoke after birth are more likely to die from sudden infant death syndrome. They are also more likely to have weaker lungs than other babies. Secondhand smoke causes our children to suffer from: Acute respiratory infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia; Respiratory symptoms such as cough, phlegm, wheezing, and breathlessness; More frequent and severe asthma attacks; Ear infections and Slowing of lung growth
As acting Surgeon General, this assault on our children's health troubles me more than I can say. Children deserve a healthy start in life. I'm sure that like me, you've seen a child sitting in the back seat of a car while a parent or grandparent lights up a cigarette in the front seat. That is an incredibly upsetting sight to anyone who cares about children's health. If you were to ask any parent or grandparent if he or she wants his child to grow up healthy and happy... you'd more than likely get a resounding "Yes!" But some loving parents and grandparents don't realize that they are putting their children's health in jeopardy by exposing them to the dangers of secondhand smoke. This is one of the primary reasons why I wanted to be here with you today. This new research on the health impact of secondhand smoke is so important, and I need your help to spread the word in your communities. The truth is, many parents don't know how dangerous secondhand smoke can be... and some parents know, but are having difficulty quitting. I want you to know that there are resources to help you quit smoking. Since 2003, the Office of Head Start and the Environmental Protection Agency have been working in partnership to encourage Head Start staff and parents to participate in E-P-A's Smoke-Free Homes Program. The program includes a very important pledge to not smoke in the home or in the car. I applaud the Head Start schools and parents across the country for taking a leadership role in preventing disease and harm to young children by preventing exposure to secondhand smoke. For those of you who are interested in learning how to quit, or helping your community protect children from secondhand smoke, we have resources to help you. The Office of the Surgeon General also has resources for parents and community leaders. We know that not every American is a scientist or a health care professional. And not everyone wants to read a 700-page Surgeon General's report. It is our job to help all Americans put the best health research into practice at home and at work, and as a part of daily life. All the research in the world means nothing if it sits on bookshelves. People's Piece That's why when we issue a Surgeon General's Report we also issue a full-color People's Piece that makes the science in the Report relevant to all Americans. Each People's Piece includes information about what the research actually means to Americans and their health, and what actions we can all take to protect our health and our family's health. The input we've received from community health leaders throughout the nation and around the world tells us that the People's Pieces have had a tremendous impact on people of all ages and educational levels. The People's Piece about the Surgeon General's Report on The Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke is available at surgeongeneral.gov. And H-H-S also has a toll-free number that you can call to find the latest health and prevention information... and you can even find sources of low- cost health care. That number is 1-800-444-6472. Closing and Charge Working together we can reduce the impact that secondhand smoke, asthma, and childhood obesity are taking on our nation's youth. Like many of you, I believe it is a moral imperative for each generation to leave the world a better place for our children. All of you here today have already demonstrated your commitment to America's children. As parents, teachers, and administrators you have the most important jobs in our nation. I want you to know that I appreciate the difference you are making in the lives of so many Americans, especially our children. You are on the front lines of improving the health of our nation. Please continue to share the information and connections you have made at this meeting.... And please help to pass on this information to those who were not able to be here. We can learn so much from each other and together we can do so much more than any of us can do alone. You more than anyone else have shown that compassion makes it possible to confront all challenges and find the way forward to make health a reality for all children, regardless of race or geography. Thanks to you, I am cautiously hopeful, eternally optimistic, and constantly encouraged by the promise of America's future.....our children. Happy holidays. Merry and healthy Christmas and a prosperous and healthy new year to all of you. ### Last revised: September 04, 2008 |