National Child Health Day was originally proclaimed by Calvin Coolidge in 1928 to draw national attention to the status of children's health. Four years ago, the American Health Foundation spearheaded a national effort to reintroduce this important day of action, which continues with Child Health Day '98 today. The most serious and threatening health problems that Americans face today are primarily related to personal decision-making and lifestyle. Children are exposed to a variety of risk factors, such as poor nutrition, substance abuse and lack of physical activity, which lead to numerous preventable diseases and illnesses. Less than a one-third of our children have a daily program of physical education in their schools.
Unintentional injuries are the leading cause of death in childhood.
Visit the American Health Foundation website for much more information on Child Health Day. Special thanks to the AHF for all of this important information about National Child Health Day. We hope that parents all over the country, as well as the world take a little time out to learn how we can all be a little healthier and pass on this information to our children. Our children are the future, we should all ensure that they have the healthiest future possible.