Author Archive for: Children's HealthWatch
Entries by Children's HealthWatch
Children’s HealthWatch Statement on HUD’s Termination of AFFH
On July 23, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced the ultimate termination of the currently suspended 2015 Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) regulation, a critical tool for addressing systemic racism and segregation in communities across our nation. As pediatricians, public health researchers, and child health and policy experts, we are deeply concerned […]
The High Cost of Undercounting
On July 21, the President issued a memorandum that calls for an unprecedented exclusion of undocumented immigrants from the decennial census data used for congressional apportionment, which determines how many seats in Congress each state is allocated. This memorandum marks the second attempt to erase undocumented residents from the census, and is the latest in […]
Looming Rise in Family Homelessness will Harm Child Health
Originally published on On The Home Front. As pediatricians, we see the child health impacts of housing instability and homelessness in our clinical practice daily. We worry about the ongoing health of our patients if these families are evicted or forced into homelessness. Based on current data, we know that the COVID-19 crisis is likely […]
EDUARDO OCHOA: Prioritize health
Originally published on Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette. While the four walls of my clinic at Arkansas Children’s Hospital have felt more virtual due to telemedicine visits, the stress on the parents of my young patients is palpable. They worry about whether or not they will have enough money to pay for rent, food, and medicine, […]
Homelessness, Children, and COVID-19: A Looming Crisis
This pandemic has magnified the vulnerability of housing insecure and homeless families. We encourage health care providers to investigate how local and state policies are affecting these children and families. Pediatricians can speak up for children by coalition building with community organizations and government affairs specialists, calling legislators to voice their concerns, volunteering as an […]
Our food system will collapse without federal assistance
Originally published on The Boston Globe. In Massachusetts, a worker making minimum wage would need to log 80 hours a week just to afford a two-bedroom apartment, let alone heat, medical bills, and childcare, leaving little to nothing left for food. And minority and under-resourced communities are being hit the hardest. The State of Hunger […]
Children’s HealthWatch’s Letter On COVID-19 Federal Response Negotiations
On July 30th, Children’s HealthWatch submitted a letter on COVID-19 federal response negotiations to Speaker Pelosi, Minority Leader McCarthy, Majority Leader McConnell, and Minority Leader Schumer. As those who care for the health of America’s children, we understand the vitally important role public policies and programs play for the health of children, particularly the youngest. […]
These Mothers Are Fighting for Their Families by Occupying Vacant Homes
Originally published on Rewire News. Moms 4 Housing has framed their fight for housing as a human right; their claim to secure and affordable housing is shaped through their identity as mothers with children in their care. Their demand for a home in which they can securely dwell and raise their family is a core […]