Because children eat more food, drink more water, and breathe more air as a percentage of their body weight than adults, they receive a greater dose of whatever chemicals are present in food, water and air. In addition, the risk of poor children may be exacerbated by conditions such as the lack of adequate medical attention, insufficient nourishment, or crowded or unsanitary living conditions. Asthma is the leading chronic illness among U.S. children. During the last two decades, asthma rates in the U.S. have doubled, and one-third of asthma sufferers are children. More people are hospitalized for asthma, and more are dying from asthma attacks and the rates are higher for African-American children.
Numerous studies indicate a link between asthma attacks and air pollution levels.
USCC Position Children, born and unborn, are certainly among the weakest and most vulnerable members of our society. While childhood should be a happy, secure, and safe time of growth and development, for too many children it is not. The lives, dignity, rights and hopes of literally millions of children are at risk. Although there are many reason for society's failure to protect and nurture children, one of the reasons is our failure to assure access to affordable, comprehensive health care for all children. Every child, every person, has a basic right to adequate health care.