National News Roundup

The United States is doing a poor job of tending to children's health needs, a report card released last week by the American Health Foundation warns.

Looking at data from over 50 studies, the Valhalla, N.Y.-based research center gave the nation less than stellar grades on several child-health indicators, including alcohol, tobacco, and substance abuse, physical activity during school, fat intake, and blood lead level.

Noting that close to 4,000 children are murdered each year, the foundation handed out an F in the category of homicide. For Head Start, the foundation gave a D, citing a study showing only 47 percent of eligible 4-year-olds are...