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Screening helps Infant checkups on the rise in 2006 The percentage of newborns screened for more than 20 of the 29 identified life-threatening disorders jumped from 38% to 64% from 2005 to 2006, according to March of Dimes research. The screening for the 29 disorders named by the American College of Medical Genetics includes cystic fibrosis and sickle cell anemia as well as certain metabolic conditions and hearing deficiencies. These diseases are all treatable if diagnosed early. Due to the lack of national guidelines for infant screening, only five states – Iowa, Maryland, Mississippi, New Jersey and Virginia – and the District of Colombia require the screening of all 29 disorders. Thus, only 9% of all babies receive the full screening. This year, four states, including California, rose from the lowest category which requires screening for fewer than 10 conditions, to the highest category which screens for more than 20 conditions. Eight states, however, still remain in the lower category. “All babies across America should receive the benefits of being screened for all of these 29 core conditions,” said March of Dimes President Dr. Jennifer L. House, in a statement. “Whether babies are screened and get the immediate treatment necessary to lead a healthy life should not depend on which state they are born in.” March of Dimes also seeks to improve follow-up care for infants identified with a disorder and to help states expand their infant screening program.m Secondhand smoke Surgeon general issues latest warning Don’t make me choke on your secondhand smoke, says the newest report by U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona. “The Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke” declares that there is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke. Children are particularly susceptible. Though there has been progress in reducing nonsmokers’ exposure since the last report in 1986, more than 126 million nonsmoking Americans are still regularly exposed to someone else’s smoke. Even brief exposure to secondhand smoke can cause some damage, increasing the risk of heart disease and lung cancer. Carmona urges states to pass laws banning smoking in public spaces. Seventeen states, including California, already follow strict no-smoking legislation. But the area that needs the most attention is inside the home, where still-developing children should be protected. Secondhand smoke is a known cause of sudden infant death syndrome, respiratory problems, asthma attacks and ear infections, the report found. The surgeon general emphasizes that only smoke-free indoor environments offer the best protection. Even high-tech ventilation systems do not completely prevent exposure to secondhand smoke, Carmona says.m FAST FACT Did your kids go to summer day camp? The IRS reminds taxpayers that the cost of day camp may count as an expense toward the Child and Dependent Care Credit. Generally, the costs of childcare while you work, look for work or attend school qualify for the credit. Visit irs.gov for more information. Source: IRS – Southern California and Nevada Males fall behind Colleges admit more and more women Combined enrollment at the University of California and California State University systems was only 43.6% male in 2004, according to the recent report by the California Postsecondary Education Commission. In that same year, 51% of California’s college-age citizens were men. The rising number of men not earning a higher education may cause significant effects on employment in the near future. In 2004, males received less than 41% of bachelor degrees, considered the minimum requirement for most of the California job market. Men lacking a college degree are more likely to be unemployed, which results in less money being paid into taxes, and more dependence on government welfare. “We must find a way to increase the proportion of males going to, and graduating from, our colleges and universities,” said the commission’s executive director, Murray J. Haberman. California parallels a national gender gap in college enrollment and degree achievement. Though overall enrollment has grown for both groups, the percentage of males enrolled in college has slowly declined since its peak after World War II, when the GI Bill was in full force. California’s gender gap is the largest it has been since first females surpassed males in the early 1980s. As reported in this issue’s Education story, the California Business Roundtable this year published a study, “Keeping California’s Edge,” that focuses on the needs of 2022, when job growth and the retirement of an incredible number of Baby Boomers will challenge the state’s ability to remain the world’s sixth-largest economy. A child who turns 6 this year will likely be graduating with a bachelor’s degree in 2022. A child of 8 today would likely be graduating with a master’s degree that year, or in law school. A child of 12 today likely would be wrapping one of many medical residencies in that year. In 2022, the YOUNGEST Baby Boomers will be turning 58. Some 1.4 million highly educated Baby Boomers will need to be replaced by then. For most, a high school education will not be enough.m Retirement Young parents will grow old – and maybe penniless Lives may be getting longer but retirement benefits have failed to keep pace. Nearly 45% of American households are at risk of facing financial difficulties in retirement, according to the recent National Retirement Index. The index, produced by the Boston College Center for Retirement Research, suggests that Generation X – those born between 1965 and 1972 – will receive the brunt of the hardships due to a rising age to qualify for Social Security combined with a notable decrease in pensions. Households with younger families, low incomes and no pensions are particularly threatened. The study named these “at-risk” households by comparing the rate of expected retirement income to pre-retirement income. This rate was then measured relative to a target rate set at maintaining the pre-retirement standard of living. Households falling more than 10% short of the target were dubbed “at risk.” – By Alyssa Urish Alicia H. Munnell, director of the CRR and professor of management sciences at Boston College’s Carroll School of Management, says, “The answer is saving more and working longer.” The Internal Revenue Service offers tips to help individuals to plan for their retirement. Its first recommendation is to set a goal. It doesn’t matter where you put the money or how much you set aside – just start saving. Visit irs.gov for more retirement tips. m Earn your stars Rating system in place for OC’s childcare centers Orange County United Way’s Success by 6 Star-Quality Rating System provides a new service to parents – a five-star rating system for childcare centers. Just a few months old, the Star-Quality Rating System has already awarded the five-star rating to 65 Orange County centers. “Parents want the best for their children when they select a childcare program, but they may not know what to look for or how to recognize the components of quality,” says Laura Long Cunningham, director of Children and Youth Initiatives at Orange County United Way. Based on nationally recognized quality standards, the incremental rating system recognizes step-by-step improvements ranging from one star to five stars in the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) accredited ranking. The rating system hopes to strengthen Orange County childcare infrastructure while helping parents make an informed decision on where to place their children. A list of evaluated centers can be found by going to: unitedwayoc.com/communityresults/successbysix/EarlyCare/NAEYC.asp. Programs funded… And others are not by the United Way United Way, Orange County’s largest nonprofit organization, now funds 85 programs, down from the more than 125 it funded when it served partly as a pass-though agency for the nonprofit world. Its criteria for funding is much more stringent at a time when it also is expanding its own reach. United Way’s shift from funding agencies to funding more of its own specific programs mirrors its mission to create long-lasting change by targeting the causes and roots of common problems such as unemployment and poverty. Its aim is self-sufficiency over a Band-Aid approach. The newly-approved programs, known as “safety net programs,” provide basic needs in the form of food, housing, transportation, health care, employment, child care and crisis support. These 85 programs will receive a three-year funding grant to provide services to ensure protection and care for the citizens of Orange County. A total of 168 programs applied for the grant this year. “Orange County United Way’s goal isn’t a quick fix to treat symptoms,” said President and CEO Maria Chavez Wilcox, in a statement. “It’s about providing the best possible care for those in crisis along with creating long-lasting change by focusing on the root cause that prevent individuals from living self-sufficient lives.” Nearly $5.4 million dollars of the $26 million raised by the United Way’s recent campaign will be appropriated to the selected programs. Heart check A healthy lifestyle does wonders Cardiovascular disease is still the leading cause of mortality in the United States. Yet research shows that a healthy lifestyle can reduce the risk of heart disease by as much as 80%. Revised guidelines published by the American Heart Association may help reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular disease by prompting Americans to be more active. The document – the first update in six years – outlines ways to make this goal a reality. It advises an overall healthy diet, starting at a young age, through a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, whole-grain, high-fiber and fish. By limiting saturated and trans fats, Americans will have lower cholesterol and lessen the risk of contracting heart disease. The revised recommendations stress a balance between calories taken in and calories burned. Recognizing that short-term diet programs are largely unsuccessful, it instead recommends eating smaller portions of nutritious food. Avoiding exposure to tobacco products and limiting consumption of alcohol are also a must to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The complete guidelines can be found at americanheart.org. – By Alyssa Urish family news bites SUPERINTENDENT IN IRVINE Gwen Gross has been hired as Irvine Unified School District superintendent, filling one of more than a half-dozen such positions that were open countywide at the end of the last school year. She began work Sept. 1 and comes from the Manhattan Beach Unified School District. She has previously served as superintendent at Beverly Hills Unified, Ojai Unified and Hermosa Beach City School District, and was recently honored as Pepperdine University’s Superintendent of the Year. Husband Jerry retired last year as superintendent of the Saddleback Valley Unified School District. MAGICAL BEGINNINGS AT DISNEYLAND Disneyland has launched a new program devoted to families with young children. The program, called Magical Beginnings, offers age-appropriate attractions, entertainment, special services, tips and tools to help parents plan a memorable visit with their little ones. Information: disneyland.com/littleones FREE SERVICES BY AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY The American Cancer Society offers a variety of free programs, 24/7, to cancer patients and their families. Ranging from cancer information to improving self-image to a survivor’s network, the programs strive to expand patient services. Information: 800.ACS.2345 or cancer.org. CAPO VALLEY SENIOR RECEIVES SCHOLARSHIP Douglas F. Long, a recent graduate of Capistrano Valley High School, received the $1,200 scholarship by Simon Youth Foundation (SYF). Long is one of 170 high school seniors in the nation to receive this award. SYF is a nonprofit organization furthering educational and career opportunities to youth. More information can be found at simon.com. CENTURY HIGH SCHOOL PRAISED Principal Greg Rankin announced that Century High School in Santa Ana recently was named an Orange County Stellar Technology High School by the Orange County Department of Education. This status recognizes across-the-board excellence, especially pertaining to use of technology. OCEAN INSTITUTE RAISES $58,000 FOR TALL SHIPS The Ocean Institute in Dana Point raised $58,000 in its third annual “Build-a-Boat Challenge.” The money benefits the preservation of the Institute’s two tall ships, the Spirit of Dana Point and Pilgrim. COLLECTOR’S CHOICE RAISED MONEY FOR COLLEGE The 17th Annual Collector’s Choice Fine Art Event and Exhibition at the Laguna College of Art & Design raised $96,000 for student programs and scholarships. The sold-out event of more than 340 people was the college’s most successful fundraiser thus far. – Reported and compiled by OC Family Magazine staff |
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