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Study: Disparities in Arkansas child health persist, especially for Black families – Arkansas Advocate

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10 months ago

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Study: Disparities in Arkansas child health persist, especially for Black families – Arkansas Advocate


In the late 2000s, Andriana Dixon regularly drove an hour and a half one way from McGehee to Little Rock for her first child’s doctor’s appointments.

“There were no pediatricians in my area at the time, and I wonder how many parents are out there who are choosing to do that same thing,” she said.

Andriana Dixon (Courtesy of Made Essentially doula service via Facebook)

Dixon’s experience is not unique, regarding both the shortage of health care providers in rural Arkansas and the fact that Black children and families face systemic barriers to care both statewide and nationwide.

Arkansas’ Black children consistently have worse health outcomes from birth onward than children of other races, according to a study published Wednesday by the Annie E. Casey Foundation.

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The Race for Results report collected a decade’s worth of data on child health and wellbeing and found widespread disparities between white and nonwhite children nationwide. The study analyzed data by state and race, measuring health based on 12 indicators like birth weight and enrollment in early childhood education.

On a scale of 0 to 1,000, Arkansas had the following scores for child wellbeing in each racial group:

  • 299 for Black children, ranking 42nd out of 46 states studied
  • 397 for Latino children, ranking 45th out of all 50 states
  • 597 for white children, ranking 47th out of all 50 states
  • 562 for children of two or more races, ranking 30th out of all 50 states
  • 616 for American Indian or Alaska Native children, ranking 5th out of 31 states
  • 624 for Asian and Pacific Islander children, ranking 42nd out of 45 states

Black maternal mortality in Arkansas rose 110% in two decades, study shows

Nationally, Black children scored lower than any other group at 386, while Asian and Pacific Islander children and white children scored highest at 771 and 697, respectively.

Arkansas has the nation’s highest maternal mortality rate and the third highest infant mortality rate regardless of race, according to the Arkansas Center for Health Improvement, which launched a project in 2022 to raise awareness about the issue.

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Additionally, the rate at which Black women in Arkansas die during childbirth or within a year of giving birth more than doubled from 1999 to 2019, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Dr. Eduardo Ochoa, pediatrician (Courtesy of University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences)

Dixon, who now lives in White Hall, has been a special education teacher for children from preschool to 12th grade since 2016, and she has been a doula since 2020, working with families from Little Rock to the Delta. The racial gaps in children’s health and education shown in the Race for Results report line up with what she has observed in both of her careers, she said.

The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and Arkansas Children’s Hospital are working together to address racial disparities in health outcomes, said Dr. Eduardo Ochoa, vice chair of diversity and health equity with UAMS pediatrics.

“We know that there are other factors like food insecurity and care deserts [that determine health], so we try to address as many of those non-medical factors as we can,” Ochoa said.

AECF_2024RaceForResults_EMBARGOED

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Addressing barriers to care

Some of Arkansas’ 75 counties do not have hospitals, according to the state Department of Health. Many had very few full-time primary care physicians per 10,000 residents in 2020, according to ACHI data, and medical professionals in specialized disciplines, like pediatrics, are few and far between outside populous areas.

Arkansas Children’s has the state’s only accredited neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), and the hospital’s Nursery Alliance brings neonatal care providers to hospitals throughout the state, both in person and virtually.

Dr. Ashley Ross, neonatologist (Courtesy of University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences)

“Our tele-NICU program is kind of in its infancy, no pun intended, but we’re trying to build our telehealth system in Arkansas, which is really robust,” said Dr. Ashley Ross, the neonatology section chief at UAMS and Arkansas Children’s, who runs the Nursery Alliance.

Ross said one of the biggest barriers to neonatal care in rural Arkansas is reliable transportation, especially with great distances between homes and hospitals.

He added that the Alliance focuses on underserved regions and communities, such as South Arkansas, and works to ensure that Arkansans carry their pregnancies to term and deliver babies with healthy birth weights.

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According to Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families, 9.5% of all babies in Arkansas were born with low birth weights in 2021, and 17% of Black infants had low birth weights.

Being born at less than 5.5 pounds, often caused by premature birth, creates health risks for children not only in infancy but throughout childhood and even into adulthood, according to the Race for Results report.

“Between 2016 and 2021, the percentage of babies born at a healthy birth weight stayed the same for white children (93.0%) and declined slightly among other racial and ethnic groups, with the largest drops for Asian and Pacific Islander and Black babies,” the report states.

Those groups also saw the largest decreases in enrollment in early childhood education between 2007–11 and 2017–21, the report states.

It wasn’t a piecemeal approach that got us here. It was a full-on targeting of Black people, Indigenous people and other people of color.

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– Maricella Garcia, Race Equity Director of Advocacy at Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families

Access to education is one of the many social determinants of health, Ochoa said. His work includes making early childhood education more accessible for immigrant and non-English-speaking families in Southwest Little Rock, which has a large Hispanic and Latino population.

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UAMS is the grantee for the federal Head Start program, and enrollment has only recently returned to where it was before the COVID-19 pandemic took hold in 2020, Ochoa said.

“Anything that can help children in the first three years of life is very important to their success in school and after school and employment and things like that, because the first three years are so important to brain development,” he said.

Policy solutions and public awareness

In the report, the Casey Foundation recommends several widespread policy measures to improve children’s health and wellbeing. The report acknowledges that “universal policies are important but insufficient for continued progress” and encourages states to create programs that specifically aid people of color.

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The foundation’s proposed solutions include expanding the federal child tax credit and the earned income tax credit. Ochoa said implementing these policies on the state level “would really go a long way in improving the health of children” in Arkansas.

Arkansas Legislature saw wide range of maternal and reproductive health legislation in 2023

AACF supports requiring presumptive Medicaid eligibility for pregnant Arkansans and extending postpartum Medicaid coverage from 60 days to 12 months after birth. State Rep. Aaron Pilkington, R-Knoxville, sponsored bills during the 2023 legislative session that would have created both policies.

Neither bill advanced because of cost concerns, Pilkington said last year, and he plans to reintroduce them in a future session.

These changes to state Medicaid policy would give mothers and babies more timely prenatal and postpartum care, which would reduce maternal and infant mortality, said Maricella Garcia, AACF’s Race Equity Director for Advocacy.

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Maricella Garcia (Courtesy of Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families)

“Moms are going to put their kids and family first, and if they don’t have access to health care, they’re unlikely to go to the doctor because they can’t afford it, so they’ll push off whatever feelings they have that something is wrong with them,” she said.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services data released in December shows 78,506 fewer Arkansas children were enrolled in Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) in September than in March of 2023, an 18% enrollment decrease. 

Systemic barriers to health and education, as the Race for Results report outlined, must be addressed with systemic solutions, not piecemeal ones, Garcia said.

“It wasn’t a piecemeal approach that got us here,” she said. “It was a full-on targeting of Black people, Indigenous people and other people of color.”



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Arkansas

Best College Football Props for Texas vs. Arkansas in Week 12

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3 hours ago

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November 15, 2024

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Best College Football Props for Texas vs. Arkansas in Week 12


Texas is on the road in SEC play now in pole position to go to the SEC Championship. 

However, the Longhorns will have a stiff test against a potent Arkansas team that is as healthy as its been in league play. Can the team look the part out of a BYE week and contend with the Texas offense? 

I’m eyeing both team’s passing games as my favorite ways to attack this game from a player prop perspective. Let’s get into them!

Odds courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook

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Taylen Green OVER 209.5 Passing Yards

Green has been battling a bone bruise on his leg, but is set to be fully recovered ahead of the team’s Week 12 matchup against Texas, who hasn’t been challenged whatsoever in the passing game this season. 

This will be the best offense the Longhorns have faced this season in terms of EPA/Play as the Hogs rank 15th in the country. The Razorbacks have been able to hit big plays through the air all season, and Green’s dual-threat ability is a big reason why. 

He has cleared this number in six of nine games this season, and given that the team is likely to be behind (the Hogs are a double digit underdog), I believe we see the team open up the playbook and scheme up some explosive pass plays out of the BYE week. 

Against a potent Texas offense, Arkansas will need to try and match them, which is why I like Green to get his passing yards in. 

Luke Hasz OVER 23.5 Receiving Yards

One of the premier tight ends heading into the season, Hasz has fallen out of the public eye amidst a quiet 2024 season. 

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However, he has been trending up as the season has gone on, hauling in nine catches for 136 yards over the last two games. 

Given that I think this will be a pass-happy script from the Razorbacks, look for Hasz to be involved early and often and get over this number with relative ease. 

Isaiah Bond OVER 56.5 Receiving Yards

As noted from Reed ‘Em and Weep this week, this is a big matchup for Bond. 

The Razorbacks have a stout defensive line, but the secondary is a big issue and this can be a big outing for the now-healthy Isaiah Bond for Texas. I played over on his receiving yard prop of 56.5 yards given this matchup against a zone-oriented Arkansas defense, which has been where Bond has thrived. The Alabama transfer has averaged nearly three yards per route run and catching 79% of targets against zone coverage. 

Arkansas is outside the top 100 in EPA/Pass, so I imagine the Longhorns will take to the air and feed its now healthy top target for him to clear this mark. 

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Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

Follow Reed on Twitter @ReedWallach and get all his college football bets on betstamp @rw33

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.



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Sam Pittman expresses confidence in Malachi Singleton behind Taylen Green at QB for Arkansas

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13 hours ago

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November 15, 2024

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Sam Pittman expresses confidence in Malachi Singleton behind Taylen Green at QB for Arkansas


The biggest storyline for Arkansas entering Saturday’s game against Texas is the health of their starting quarterback. Taylen Green went down with an injury against Ole Miss, nearly two weeks ago. Having a bye has certainly helped and now, Green is listed as probable per the latest injury report.

But in a world where Green cannot play, Malachi Singleton is the backup for Arkansas. Thankfully, there is a ton of confidence in Singleton from his head coach. Sam Pittman was impressed with what he did against Ole Miss after Green’s injury. If Arkansas has to play Singleton, there is “belief” in him.

“Great job of throwing the football,” Pittman said of Singleton’s performance vs. Ole Miss. “Throwing it early. Very accurate and ran over some people. Malachi played extremely well. We’re glad we have him and have a lot of belief in him when he goes in the game. That certainly helped.”

The snaps Singleton took were not too competitive as Ole Miss ran away with a 63-31 win. Even so, the stats back up what Pittman was saying. Singleton threw for 207 yards and a touchdown while completing 11 of 14 throws. Ground game was not too shabby either, having 44 yards and a score on just eight carries.

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Before the Ole Miss game, Singleton’s last real stretch of play was in the opener against Arkansas-Pine Bluff. He threw for 120 yards on 10 attempts and rushed for a touchdown.

Right now, the hope is for Green to be available for Saturday. The Texas game means a lot to the people of Fayetteville, just think about the scene there after the win back in 2021. Green has been Arkansas’ guy all season and will start if completely healthy.

Having a quality backup quarterback is a major plus in today’s college football, though. Singleton is more than capable of moving the ball well in Bobby Petrino‘s offense. The numbers from limited playing time this season show as such.



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ARKANSAS’ BEST BURGER: Watermelons aren’t Cave City’s only claim to fame | Arkansas Democrat Gazette

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21 hours ago

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November 14, 2024

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ARKANSAS’ BEST BURGER: Watermelons aren’t Cave City’s only claim to fame | Arkansas Democrat Gazette


CAVE CITY — Mention Cave City and many Arkansans immediately think of the immensely popular watermelons grown here. But those big green-striped watermelons with the authentic Cave City watermelon seal are not the only claim to fame for this northeast Arkansas town.

Located in a historic rock building in downtown Cave City, Bailey’s Family Restaurant is drawing locals and visitors to try its home-style cooking, including its most famous offering — The Caveman Burger, which was recently named Arkansas’ Best Burger by the Arkansas Beef Council.

To check out this monster burger — the single has a 2-pound patty with a 9-inch bun — my sister and I headed to Cave City on a recent Saturday, arriving near the lunch peak. Most of the restaurant’s 20 or so tables were occupied with folks enjoying a variety of dishes from the extensive menu, including the daily specials, which included a brisket plate ($13.99), an open-faced roast beef plate ($11.99), a half-rack rib plate ($16.99) and vegetable beef soup ($6.99). Although the specials sounded very good, especially after having only yogurt for breakfast before our two-hour drive from Little Rock, I was there on a mission — to check out the state’s best burger.

When the waitress arrived to take our order, she smiled as she issued a warning about the Caveman’s unusual size. Unfazed, I told her I would take what I didn’t finish home in a box. My sister, a fried catfish aficionado, ordered a fried catfish dinner with plans to also sample my burger. For drinks, we each ordered sweet tea.

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As we waited for our order, a waitress brought food to the customers at the table next to us.

    Papa Bills two-piece fried catfish dinner comes with fries, hushpuppies, coleslaw, tartar sauch, onion, pickled tomatoes and pinto beans. (Special to the Democrat-Gazette/Sheila Yount)  

“Oh my God,” one person said as a Caveman Burger order was delivered to their table, complete with a large steak knife planted in the middle of the sesame-seed bun. It is hard to imagine just how big they are until your order arrives.

I ordered mine with a single patty and American cheese ($24.99). You can also add bacon, and if you are really ravenous and/or brave, there is the double patty version ($31.99). I added an order of fries. My sister got the Papa Bill’s two-piece catfish dinner ($12.99), which came with fries, hush puppies, pinto beans, coleslaw, onions, pickled tomatoes and tartar sauce.

I asked for all the fixings and the waitress suggested I get them on the side so that the burger wouldn’t get too “mushy,” especially if there were leftovers for the trip home. My order was delivered on a platter with the giant burger on one side and a plate with mustard, mayonnaise, onions, dill pickles lettuce and tomato on the other. The handmade patty, made daily from fresh, not frozen, ground beef, was covered with what appeared to be at least four, maybe five, melted cheese slices.

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I used the knife to cut the burger in half, and then cut each half into thirds. Each third was about the size of a regular burger. I could have easily cut the thirds into slider-size and fed three or more people.

Does anyone finish the Caveman in one sitting, I asked? Yes, there have been a few, including two young girls, ages 8 and 9, who managed, much to the restaurant staff’s amazement, to polish one off at the restaurant.

My burger was truly grilled to perfection — well done throughout but not overcooked. The combination of the moist burger, toasted bun and fresh fixings created the perfect traditional cheeseburger. While I am not opposed to trying burgers with exotic seasonings and toppings, just give me an old-fashioned burger like the Caveman, and I will be completely satisfied.

What about the catfish? My sister gave it a thumbs up, noting that it was among the best she has had. She especially enjoyed the side of pinto beans, which reminded both of us of those made by our mother. I sampled the fish, which was straight out of the fryer. The traditional cornmeal-based breading was just right — not too thick or too thin — while the fish was moist and flaky.

  photo  Shelly Bailey (left), Andi Bailey (center) and McKee Bailey proudly hold their Arkansas Best Burger poster. (Special to the Democrat-Gazette/Sheila Yount)  

BEST BURGER CONTEST

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Although the Caveman and the restaurant’s other dishes have been a hit for a while now, their popularity has gotten a big boost since the Arkansas Beef Council, which promotes research and market development for the beef industry, named the Caveman burger the state’s best burger last month.

It was the first year for the contest, which got more than 2,400 nominations for more than 410 different burgers, according to a news release from the Arkansas Department of Agriculture. Ten finalists were named.

“The Caveman burger received the highest score among the finalists from an anonymous panel of judges with evaluations based on the taste of the burger patty, appearance and presentation, proper cooking, and overall impression,” the news release said.

  photo  The Caveman burger is made with two pounds of ground beef and a nine-inch bun. (Special to the Democrat-Gazette/Sheila Yount)  

ALL IN THE FAMILY

Bailey’s Family Restaurant is owned by Andi Bailey and operated by her sister McKee and her parents, Scott and Shelly, who “work together alongside a staff that feels like part of the family,” according to the news release.

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In addition to catfish and burgers, Bailey’s offers:

Granny Marlene’s Baskets of hand-battered chicken tenders, chicken fritters and butterfly shrimp served with fries, slaw and roll. ($9.99 to $11.99)

Papa Frank’s Burgers and Sandwiches, including regular-size burgers ($7.99 to $13.99), a patty melt ($9.99), grilled chicken sandwich ($8.99), fried bologna sandwich ($6.99) and several more.

Appetizers such as battered mushrooms ($5.99), cheese curds ($5.99), fried pickles ($5.99), chips and queso ($5.99) and chips and salsa ($3.99)

Bailey’s also offers daily lunch specials such as those mentioned above, and a list of desserts far too long to name here, including the restaurant’s bestseller, strawberry delight, and in season, the city’s famous watermelon. We bought a piece of triple-chocolate cheesecake and an order of strawberry delight, which was made with vanilla cake, whipped cream and strawberries, to go. After returning home, we enjoyed those desserts, as well as our leftovers, and agreed that our trip to Cave City and Bailey’s was certainly worth the drive.

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  photo  Bailey’s Family Restaurant in Cave City. (Special to the Democrat-Gazette/Sheila Yount)  
  photo  The Caveman burger can easily feed more than one person. (Special to the Democrat-Gazette/Sheila Yount)  
  photo  The triple chocolate cheesecake is a chocolate-lover’s delight. (Special to the Democrat-Gazette/Sheila Yount)  

Bailey’s Family Restaurant

  • Where: 207 S. Main St.
  • Cave City
  • (870) 916-2195
  • facebook.com/baileyscountrycookin/
  • Hours: Wednesday-Saturday: 11 a.m. to 7:45 p.m.
  • Sunday: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

 



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