Kids and the flu.

Fear of a H1N1 flu pandemic this fall has state lawmakers reviewing emergency planning regulations for childcare providers and schools.

This is no small concern. Every weekday, 67 million children attend schools and more than 325,000 licensed child-care facilities in the United States. Yet only seven states--Alabama, Arkansas, Hawaii, New Hampshire, Maryland, Massachusetts and Vermont--require child-care facilities to have a comprehensive written plan addressing evacuation, reunification and accommodating children with special needs during an emergency.

"Every legislator and all state and local officials have a fundamental responsibility to protect our most precious resource, our children," says Senator Richard Moore of Massachusetts. "If we can enact laws and policies to protect pets in time of disaster--and we have--surely we can do as much for our children."

On average, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, states have "many major gaps" in their influenza plans, specifically in school closure policies and efforts to contain the spread of the flu in the community once an outbreak occurs.

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Treatments, antidotes and research to help disaster survivors and victims of illnesses have focused on the needs of adults. But adult models may not be adaptable to children, who have unique anatomic, physiologic, immunologic, developmental and psychological considerations that potentially affect their vulnerability to injury and response in a disaster. Emergency responders, medical professionals and health care institutions need the expertise and training to ensure optimal care for children.

"From health and mental health, to education, child care and nutrition, states and their partners play a vital role in providing disaster services to children," says Nevada Assemblywoman Sheila Leslie, who is a member of the National Commission on Children and Disasters.

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It is examining a wide range of issues to ensure children are a greater priority in disaster planning. The commission is preparing a report to the president and Congress, expected in October, but Leslie says it will have relevance for states as well.

As lawmakers retool their emergency plans, Leslie suggests conducting oversight hearings to...