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Keep kids healthy

Buckeye State residents care deeply about the wellbeing of our children, but a recent report suggests that does not always translate to the way we take care of their health.

In WalletHub’s ranking of 2021’s Best and Worst States for Children’s Health Care, Ohio was 44th.

As the rankings broke down further, Ohio was 39th in kids’ health and access to health care; a not-too-bad 17th in kids’ oral health; and an appalling 46th for kids’ nutrition, physical activity and obesity.

The state is 47th for overweight children.

Authors of the study noted some positives, such as the very high percentage of those under age 18 who have health insurance, but even there commented that it has not translated into lower health care costs for parents.

In fact, it is likely financial woes have much to do with the troubling findings in the study.

But that does not mean throwing money at the problem will help.

Certainly there is a federal effort to do so, but we can do a better of job here at home of providing education and resources to parents, as families try to be more active, eat better, and make other wise and healthy choices. Local governments, schools and charitable organizations all could play a role in helping to accomplish that.

Ohio can’t afford to wait for the federal government to get its ducks in a row.

Our kids are far too important, and we know we can do better.

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