Early Childhood Development: The Building Blocks of Health and Well-being
From birth to age five, a child’s brain develops at a rapid pace. As the brain’s foundation is laid, the presence or absence of critical developmental building blocks can profoundly influence a child’s cognitive, emotional, and social potential. Brain and body development are inextricably intertwined; any assessment of a child’s health must consider that a…
Promoting Children’s Mental Health
The problem has been well documented: approximately one in five children and adolescents experiences a mental health disorder in any given year, and 1 in 10 of all youth experiences a mental illness that severely disrupts his or her daily functioning. Yet more than two-thirds who need mental health services do not receive them. While untreated mental illness can set an individual on a devastating path, early intervention or prevention can correct the course.
Adolescence to Adulthood: Crossing the Threshold
The period between adolescence and adulthood is a time of great transition. As youth accepts the responsibilities of adulthood, they must take important choices about leaving home, continuing their education, finding a job, or starting a family. Over the past several decades, with more youth entering college and delaying marriage, the transition has become even more complex.
Key Issues in Reauthorization of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program
Over the last 10 years, the State Children’s health Insurance Program (SCHIP), which now covers 6 million children, and Medicaid, which covers 28 million children, have deceased the uninsured rate of low-income children by one-third. While there is broad bipartisan support for SCHIP, several key issues have emerged during the reauthorization process, including how the program should be financed, who should be covered, and what that coverage should include.
In Harm’s Way: Aiding Children Exposed to Trauma
Every year, thousands of children nationwide experience trauma as a result of exposure to violence, abuse, or disasters. These traumatic events create intense stress that threatens children’s mental health and well-being. Fortunately, early intervention and access to appropriate treatment services can ameliorate the immediate and long-term effects of exposure to trauma.
Improving the Health and Well-being of Children in Foster Care
As a group, children in foster care may be the unhealthiest children in America. They are substantially more likely to have health problems than children in other groups at risk for poor health status, including children in low-income families, homeless children, and children in families receiving public assistance.
Addressing Maternal Depression
Maternal depression affects not only a woman herself, but also her family, friends, and coworkers. Of particular concern is maternal depression’s link to problems in children’s health, mental health, and development. This Issue Focus highlights ways that health grantmakers can address maternal depression and its consequences, including educating women and health care providers, promoting screening and treatment, integrating mental health services into programs serving pregnant and parenting women, and supporting research.
Creating a Healthier Future for Children: Precaution Is Prevention
With chronic childhood diseases and an array of learning and developmental disabilities on the rise, a burgeoning body of science is illuminating links between environmental exposures and children’s health. Health funders interested in childhood development and lifelong health are increasingly moving upstream to support precautionary action as a critical prevention strategy.
Connecting Children to Ongoing and Coordinated Health Care
Ongoing and coordinated care for children has been linked to better health outcomes, as well as lower overall costs. This Issue Focus highlights opportunities for grantmakers that include improving access to medical homes, coordinating care for children with chronic diseases, educating providers, colocating services, and reducing emergency department use.
Early Childhood Development: The First Five Years
This GIH Issue Focus dives into child development services provided in the health care setting in the first five years of life.