YOUR SHOT TO KEEP COLORADO KIDS HEALTHY
Posted by Nan Jarvis (Mountain Foothills) johnnan@comcast.net
Together, we can keep Colorado kids healthy.
The 2016 Colorado Health Report Card, released last week by the Colorado Health Foundation, reveals that many Colorado kids aren’t getting the healthy start they deserve. Overall, the “Healthy Beginnings” life stage, which includes prenatal care, cigarette smoking, low birth weight, infant mortality, and childhood immunizations, earned a C+ grade. Colorado’s average ranking among states for these indicators was slightly better than most at No. 21 out of 50 states. Policymakers, health care professionals and families can all do better to ensure that all children receive a shot at a healthy, happy life.
The Colorado Children’s Immunization Coalition (CCIC), a statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to improving children’s immunization rates and awareness, was formed in 1991 in response to the alarming statistic that only 50-55 percent of Colorado children were adequately immunized against vaccine-preventable diseases. While we’ve made improvements, the Colorado Health Report Card shows that only 74.3 percent of preschool-age children received all recommended doses of six key vaccines last year.
We know that childhood vaccines are a safe, easy, and cost-effective way to help prevent disease and keep children healthy as they grow. Research shows that children who are vaccinated experience fewer doctor’s visits, hospitalizations and premature deaths. In fact, vaccines averted nearly $440 million in hospital charges and prevented over 8,500 hospital visits among Colorado children in one year. That’s why CCIC works to protect Colorado kids and communities by building awareness for vaccines, educating health care providers, and advocating for policies that protect children with the goal of increasing childhood vaccination rates. CCIC also partners with local Rotary Clubs, along with local public health and fire departments, to host monthly Shots for Tots and Teens clinics for under- and uninsured families in Aurora and Denver.
Together, we can keep Colorado kids healthy.