Charleston, W.Va. (AP) -- A nonprofit policy center reports that West Virginia is no. 2 in the nation in the percentage of children with chronic health problems.
The report from the West Virginia Center on Budget & Policy found that 18 percent of West Virginia children -- 69,500 in total -- have special health needs or chronic illnesses, such as asthma and diabetes.
Kentucky's no. 1 at 18.5 percent.
The report said that more than half of West Virginia children with chronic health problems receive government-funded health insurance.
In most states, the majority of chronically ill children are covered by private health insurance.
While most West Virginia children with chronic health problems have insurance, some don't receive the early medical care that can prevent some health problems.
(Copyright 2008 by the Associated Press. All rights reserved.)
