According to Dr. Jeanne Van Cleave, a pediatrician at MassGeneral Hospital for Children in Boston, one in every two American children is struggling with a chronic disease such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, obesity or asthma. The questions that immediately arise are why there are so many sick children in the first place and secondly, what role can their parents and friends play in the recovery process.

Dr. Van Cleave suggests that children who have recuperated from these sorts of diseases can attribute it to their parents making major lifestyle changes such as eating healthier foods, reducing television time and encouraging more physically activity. Research emphasizes the need for prevention and healthcare literacy in the fight against children’s diseases. According to a study on BMI in schoolchildren, published in the Journal of European Epidemiology, the obese subjects were more frequently members of families with lower levels of parental education. Socio-economic status is a key factor in determining one’s diet. In developed countries higher education is associated with higher income.

Granted, there may be exceptions, but I believe it is safe to assume that an educated parent has a better chance of having access to the resources necessary to reduce health risks for her children. Respiratory diseases, which are a major issue for younger Americans, were found to be more prevalent in families with parents who had a low education level in an article by the Gehring et al. in the European Respiratory Journal. It is premature to consider these findings as solid proof that parental education is a key factor in US children’s health status. Nevertheless, they do suggest that children from educated families are more likely to receive better healthcare and to recover from chronic conditions faster. This should be encouraging news for those of us who would like to excel, not only for the sake of achievement, but also to make a positive impact in the lives of the ones important to us.

I have always imagined myself as a far cry from the dream mom, engrossed by my job and a little scatterbrained at home. Don’t get me wrong, I do have a lot of respect for women who stay at home to meet their kids’ every need. However, lately I have been wondering if my being well educated may be beneficial for anyone else important in my life and not just for me? This issue has definately opened my eyes to the importance of both education in a family’s health and well-being.

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