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, […]
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 […]
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 […]
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. […]
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 […]
Key Takeaways The EITC and CTC are two successful federal tax credits for workers with low and moderate incomes that boost family financial resources and lift families out of poverty. Research shows that expansions of these working-family tax credits directed towards families with the lowest incomes would effectively lift children out of poverty, improve the […]
On July 28th, Children’s HealthWatch submitted a written testimony to strongly support Massachusetts Bill H.4878/S.2831: “An Act to guarantee housing stability during the COVID-19 emergency and recovery”. This unprecedented crisis requires strong action to protect residents, safeguard the health and well-being of families with children, and set the stage for a strong and equitable economic […]
On July 21st, Children’s HealthWatch submitted a written testimony to strongly support Massachusetts Bill: “Lift Kids Out of Deep Poverty (House 102, Senate 36)”. House 102 and Senate 36 would raise grants by 10% each year until they reach Deep Poverty – half of the federal poverty level. We must do at least this for our […]
Originally published on The Brink. How is COVID-19 impacting Boston’s young families? Megan Sandel, BU School of Medicine (MED) associate professor of pediatrics and School of Public Health (SPH) associate professor of environmental health, and Deborah A. Frank, MED professor of pediatrics and SPH assistant professor of community health sciences Children aren’t COVID-19’s usual victims—medically. But […]
Originally published on Positively Naperville. Since the onset of COVID-19, food insecurity has increased dramatically. The U.S. Food Security Scale states that one in five families with children under the age of six struggles to provide enough food to lead active, healthy lives and are food insecure. Currently, 64% of clients that receive food at Loaves […]