How’s Your Health, San Antonio?
Reported November 09, 2007
How healthy are San Antonians? What are the biggest risks we face?
Much of the report by Metro Health focused on the link between poverty and a child’s health. The report identified 10 zip codes near the Downtown area where some of the highest health risks are, and the rate immunizations is still low .
One of the biggest problems among kids is child abuse and neglect, especially among girls 11 years old and younger.
That also is linked to the rate of poverty in the city. According to Metro Health, children can be victims of parental frustration.
“The risk for potential abuse and neglect increases as the number of pregnancies,” said Dr. Fernando Guerra, Director of Metro Health.
One bit of good news is that the rate of teen pregnancies has fallen noticeably, but the report said there is still lots of room for improvement.
Metro Health says it will continue and even step up it’s prevention and screenings in the community and work with school districts getting help to children.