A vital health issue in decline

First, the positives.

The health of Hardin County children is improving overall. That statement is based on 2012 data compiled by Kentucky Youth Advocates in its latest Kids Count report.

The specifics about Hardin County show several areas of significant improvement:

• Rate of mothers smoking in 2011 is 21 percent, 6 percent lower than in 2009.
• The teen birth rate is on the decline. It was 55 out of 1,000 births.
• Access to dental care for children enrolled in public health care coverage increased from 31 percent in 2001 to 49 percent in 2010.
• But a key indicator of childhood health is on the decline locally. Only 51 percent of expectant mothers report receiving adequate prenatal care.

Adequate care is defined as beginning prenatal care within the first 13 weeks of pregnancy and receiving at least 10 prenatal visits during the course of the pregnancy. It’s an essential element of healthy childhood.

Perhaps the issue is education. Expectant parents must understand the critical nature of prenatal care. Reminders and more reminders are needed in medical facilities, doctors’ office and distributed in dozens of ways by health departments.

Moms and dads need to impress the importance on their children as they approach child-bearing age. It’s certainly a subject of key concern for obstetric specialists whenever access to future parents is available.

Overall, the news is good. But in a community with our facilities, educational opportunities and health professionals, the decline in prenatal care is an unnecessary risk for children and a long-term burden on families and finances.

This can be resolved if it becomes and remains an issue of general community interest and emphasis.

This editorial reflects a concensus of The News-Enterprise's editorial board.