A comprehensive summary of Children’s HealthWatch findings showing the positive impact of five public assistance programs on young children’s food security, growth, and health.
The Safety Net in Action: Protecting the Health and Nutrition of Young American Children
Children’s HealthWatch findings do not show any significant associations between participation in nutrition and other safety net programs and increased risk of overweight for young children. Public policies that maintain and enhance social safety net programs are essential to reducing and preventing illnesses and expensive hospitalizations among infants and toddlers. Adequately funded and effectively used safety net programs save short term health care costs and contribute to the long term health, growth and intellectual potential of our nation’s youngest and most vulnerable citizens.
