Poverty--a sobering topic and a conversation stopper. I've been in many meetings when someone finally says something like, "Well, it actually all boils down to addressing poverty." Typically, everything stops and we feel depressed, or we quickly move back to a topic that feels more 'doable.' It's kind of like world peace or eliminating racism; we want these things, but setting any of these as an immediate goal that we'll hold ourselves accountable to feels impossible. At the same time, there is clear evidence that all of these things are related, and that it will take a systems approach to change the trajectory too many young children and families are on.

 

To help address this, the American Academy of Pediatrics just released a policy statement Poverty and Child Health in the United States. And while it describes detailed, sobering data about the prevalence of child poverty and its devastating impact on child health and development, it also provides concrete, evidence-based policy steps and interventions.

 

And that is where facts meet action and create hope. Families will do almost anything to help their children have a better life. If we as a society prioritize supporting parents and do it systematically in ways that work for families and improve outcomes for children, progress can be made. Poverty and young children create a toxic mix. Leveraging the universal health care system to support parents, connect families to basic resources, and enhance child development--such as through Reach Out and Read--is a key part of the path out of poverty. Check out the report and listen to the webinar and you'll see!