Improving children’s health on the front lines of care
Children’s HealthWatch is a nonpartisan network of pediatricians, public health researchers, and children’s health and policy experts committed to improving children’s health in America.

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Food insecurity seems to have risen during the pandemic. Why that’s critical for Philadelphia’s early learners.

Originally published on Chalkbeat Philadelphia. Felice Le-Scherban, assistant professor of epidemiology at Drexel’s Dornsife School of Public Health and the principal investigator for the Philadelphia site of Children’s Healthwatch, said…
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Challenging Racist Systems, Processes, and Analyses in Social Care

Originally published on SIREN Network. This episode features a conversation between Megan Sandel, MD, MPH, an associate professor of pediatrics at the Boston University Schools of Medicine and Public Health and co-lead principal investigator…
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Children’s HealthWatch Statement on the American Families Plan

Children’s HealthWatch applauds the significant investments in the health and well-being of young children and families proposed in the Biden-Harris Administration’s American Families Plan (AFP), released yesterday. Central to equitable…
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Watertown Public Schools keeps students fed amid growing food insecurity

Originally published on Wicked Local. The main federally funded options offered through states to combat long-term food insecurity at the individual level are the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Pandemic-EBT, and the Special Supplemental…
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Pandemic EBT - Summer 2021 | Hear What They’re Saying

Originally published on U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. “Children of all ages need nutritious meals year-round to stay healthy and thrive. Unfortunately, every summer I meet families in my clinic struggling to afford food when their…
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Pasquariello Awarded by RFK Children’s Action Corps

Originally published on Winthrop Transcript. Following grad school, Pasquariello served as the executive director for Children’s HealthWatch, a data collection, research and policy center that works to improve children’s health in America…
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NLIHC Fair Housing Q&A mini Series

Originally published on National Low Income Housing Coalition.
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Watch the Recording For Our 'Sharing the Wealth, Getting To Health: How Cash Improves the Health of Children and Families' Town Hall

Our Policy Focus Areas

Children’s HealthWatch research and policy analysis specifically focuses on the child health and developmental impacts of economic hardships with a particular focus on food insecurity, unstable housing, health care hardships and inability to afford adequate household energy.

  • Food Security

    Consistent access to food for all family members is crucial for ensuring children are healthy. Food and nutrition assistance programs are an essential cornerstone in supporting the health and well-being of low-income families.

  • Housing Stability

    Stable housing supports healthy growth and development among young children, and means families are not behind on rent, moving frequently, doubled up, overcrowded, or homeless. Policies that create affordable housing options that provide access to safe, stable housing help ensure young children and their families can thrive and be successful in life.

  • Energy Security

    Maintaining consistent utility services so homes are heated in the winter and cooled in the summer is critical for children’s health and safety. Energy supports protect families from the harmful health effects of having their utilities shut off.

  • Health Care Hardships

    When families are forced to choose between paying for health care, such as medical care and prescriptions, and other basic needs such as food, rent, child care, or utility bills, that decision can have an effect on the health and wellbeing of young children. Providing supports necessary to care for children, especially those with special health care needs, is crucial for improving child health.

  • Poverty

    Alleviating economic hardships for families with young children will require comprehensive policy solutions including improvements to nutrition assistance programs, increasing access to affordable housing, providing energy assistance, making work pay through reducing cliff effects and increasing  and expanding access to the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit, providing affordable child care to all children, and supporting the health and development of all children.

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