Pediatric Health OUTCOMES

One of the reasons that the previous report did not include significant information regarding child health outcomes is that many child health indicators are reported at the state level, but not the county level. While the data is limited, there is information available at the county level for some important health indicators. It reveals important health disparities for children in Northeast Texas.

Prematurity RATES

Preterm BIRTHS

Premature births (less than 37 weeks gestational age) result in increased health challenges that can persist throughout childhood and into adulthood. Children who were born preterm are more likely to struggle with asthma, pulmonary disease and neurologic problems (such as developmental delay and cerebral palsy). Preterm birth is also associated with increased incidence of high blood pressure, heart disease, asthma, Type 2 diabetes and increased mental health problems as adults.11

Approximately 10.1% of children in the United States and 10.8% of children in Texas are born prematurely. In Northeast Texas, 11.0% of children are born early. While this average is not strikingly higher than state averages, 22 of the 42 counties within the region have rates above the state average. Eleven counties have premature birth rates higher than 12%. In Bowie County, 13.5% of children are born prematurely. These elevated rates of prematurity increase the need for pediatric health resources in these areas.12

Teen births are an important health indicator for the pediatric population because they are associated with poor health outcomes for both the mother and the child.13 The teen birth rate (the number of births per 1,000 females aged 15 to 19 in a community) is startling in Northeast Texas. The regional average is 20% higher than the state average and 170% higher than the national average.14,15 Teen birth rates may be particularly high due to challenges accessing routine preventive care and contraception. The resulting high number of births increases demand on the health care system as teen mothers and their children have increased health problems.

Teen BIRTHS Teen Birth RATES

Per 1,000 Females

Aged 15-19

The regional average of teen birth rates

20% higher than the state average and 170% higher than the national average.

Child MORTALITY

Child mortality rates are the deaths of residents below the age of 18 per 100,000 residents from any cause. Children in Northeast Texas are significantly more likely to die than their counterparts across the state and country. It is important to note that no data is available for 14 of the 42 counties in our Northeast Texas region. Of those counties reporting data, the child mortality rate is 63.6 per 100,000. The Texas rate is 50 per 100,000, and the United States rate is 25.9 per 100,000.16,17 Red River County has the highest child mortality rate in the state. When factored for the regional population, this means that 61 more children die in Northeast Texas each year than in a population the same size taken from across the state. That number jumps to 169 when compared to children across the United States.