Purdue Best Bets
May 16, 1997
JOURNALISTS: Here is a tip about a timely news story and a Purdue source.
Stand For Children Day focuses on health needs
The debate over underinsured children and the need for preventive health care during
the early years of life is one focus of an event to educate about children's health
needs. June 1 is Stand For Children Day sponsored by the Children's Defense Fund.
This year's message is to give children a healthy start, because too many children grow
up without essential care. Ten million children in the United States -- or 1 in 7
-- are not covered by health insurance. Two-thirds of these children live in families
with income above the poverty level, yet the parents lack the resources to provide their
children health coverage. "I've heard parents say that if we take a kid to the doctor,
than we don't eat for a week," says Jane Overbay, Purdue assistant professor of nursing who teaches a course on ethical issues in the medical care of children. She says
phenomenal growth takes place during a child's first year, and good nutrition and
health care are critical during that time. Stand For Children organizers have events
planned around the country. The Indiana coordinator is Karen Hemberger at (317) 849-8995.
CONTACT: Overbay, (765) 494-4027; home: (765) 477-9835; e-mail, joverbay@pharmacy.purdue.edu
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; e-mail, purduenews@purdue.edu
To the Purdue News and Photos Page