By Gale Holland

Child poverty in America is at its highest point in 20 years, putting millions of children at increased risk of injuries, infant mortality, and premature death, according to a policy analysis published this week in the journal JAMA Pediatrics.

As the U.S. emerges from the worst recession since the Great Depression, 25 percent of children don't have enough food to eat and 7 million kids still don't have health insurance, the analysis says. Even worse: Five children die daily by firearms, and one dies every seven hours from abuse or neglect.

"It shouldn't be this hard for kids to grow and thrive in the world's richest, most powerful nation," co-author Bruce Lesley, president of the Washington-based child advocacy organization First Focus, said in a written statement.

The report _ co-written with Dr. Glenn Flores, professor of pediatrics at University of Texas Southwestern _ note

http://www.governing.com/topics/health-human-services/mct-child-poverty-rates-report.html