Most lead-poisoned children have no symptoms. The best way to tell if a child has lead poisoning is a simple blood test. The immunization rate can be indicators of good, preventative care for children. Through a concerted, statewide effort, the percentage of children less than two years of age seen in public health clinics who were not fully immunized for preventable diseases such as Polio, Measles, Diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough and Haemophilus Influenza B has significantly decreased. Abuse refers to acts such as beatings, excessive punishment or other actions that cause physical harm to the child.
Neglect refers to the failure to provide for the physical and emotional needs of the child.
There were 2326 reported cases of child abuse or neglect reported in the Trident region in 1997. Of these, the Department of Social Services, through its investigations, determined that 856 children in the region were victims of child abuse or neglect. The rate of child abuse is higher among younger children and children in single-parent households. 1837 cases for the region. The main source of health care access in the region is through insurance coverage.