A series of reports authored by experts in early childhood policy at the Center for American Progress (CAP) recently brought attention to the significant influence of social determinants on the health and development of children.
The importance of prioritizing policies and programs for children and families is underscored in the series, according to a recent series. The reports highlight that children are not isolated entities but products of the environments in which they are born and raised.
"Children do not live in silos; they are a product of the environments into which they are born and raised," Hailey Gibbs, senior policy analyst for early childhood policy at CAP, said in a June 29 release.
In one of the installments, "A Strong Start in Life: How Public Health Policies Affect the Well-Being of Pregnancies and Families," highlights the need for state and federal economic policies that allocate funds to address social determinants and reduce adverse perinatal and infant health outcomes.
Addressing social determinants of health is a key focus in another installment of the report. It highlights the importance of federal policies that prioritize factors such as access to secure housing, family employment and economic stability, education, and child care, to support the health and well-being of infants and toddlers.
The series also underscores the significance of early childhood as a critical period of social and emotional development, where children rapidly gain a more complex understanding of the world and develop greater independence. According to the report, holistic, multigenerational interventions during these formative years have proven effective in improving long-term health, economic and educational outcomes that extend across lifespans and generations.
The final installment of the series examines the lasting impact of social determinants on preschoolers' health. It reveals climate change and environmental racism disproportionately affect children and families of color, while lack of continuous health care coverage hampers access to vital services. Racial disparities in preschool discipline can hinder educational progress, and early exposure to pollution harms cognitive development. Additionally, redlined neighborhoods experience higher pollution levels and drilling, and Indigenous communities face food and water insecurity.
The report emphasizes the importance of early investments in children's health and development to enhance their life outcomes and reduce racial, economic and health inequities. According to the report by addressing social determinants and providing the necessary support early in life, policymakers and communities can pave the way for a more equitable future for all children.
"Development is a continuous process — something we have worked to capture in this series of reports," Allie Schneider, research associate for Early Childhood Policy at CAP and co-author of the series, said in the release. "Investments we make in children's health and development early in life help to set them on a stage for better life outcomes and reduce racial, economic and health inequities."