Poverty is an important determinant of child health. The resources below are intended to help pediatricians with caring for children living in poverty, including practice tips, communications materials and advocacy resources. 

 

Poverty and Child Health Overview

Child poverty is at the intersection of multiple systemic forces, including racism, discrimination, climate change, health, and economic progress. Research shows that living in poverty can have lifelong health consequences. Families living in poverty may also experience food insecurity, homelessness and housing insecurity and can benefit from tax credits and income supports, paid family leave, early childhood supports and economic and community development. Through their relationships with families, pediatricians are uniquely positioned to help identify problems and link children to much-needed resources.

 

AAP Policy Statements on Poverty

The AAP has several policy statements related to poverty. Poverty is also closely related to equity and social justice which are in line with the AAP’s Health Equity Agenda and Blueprint.

 

Professional Tools & Resources

The resources below provide information and educational tools on how pediatricians and health care providers can help children living in poverty.

Poverty and Child Health Messaging Guide for Pediatricians

Download this guide of communication tips and messages to use when talking about poverty and child health.

Practice Tips: Screening and Referrals

Pediatric practices can use simple screening tools that ask families about basic needs. These screening tools will help identify families with unmet needs.

APA US Child Poverty Curriculum

These training modules provide information on the epidemiology of child poverty, social determinants of health, biomedical influences of poverty and tips on taking action to address child poverty.

A Roadmap to Reducing Child Poverty: A Consensus Study Report

This resource, developed by The National Academies Press, reviews the connection between child poverty and child well-being and analyzes the poverty-reducing effects of major assistance programs directed at children and families.

Income and Poverty in the United States: US Census Bureau National Data

This report presents data on income, earnings, income inequality, and poverty in the United States based on information collected in the 2019 and earlier Current Population Survey Annual Social and Economic Supplements (CPS ASEC) conducted by the US Census Bureau.

Kids Count Data Center: State Data for Children & Families

This interactive resource, from The Annie E. Casey Foundation, allows you to view data by state. Various economic well-being indicators can be selected.

Resources for Families

These resources provide information on available benefits for families (including food/nutrition, health care and housing) and various community services for children and families.

View Resources

Get Involved

These AAP councils and resources provide additional information on related child health issues.

Podcasts and Voices Blogs

Learn what others are saying. Listen to our podcasts and read our blog posts.

Childhood Homelessness: Back to School Edition

Read why it is imperative for pediatricians to understand how housing status impacts school experiences and educational prospects for patients struggling with homelessness or housing insecurity.

Voices Blog

|

September 19, 2016

Help Shelter Children from the Risk of Housing Insecurity

Read how housing status, particularly homelessness, has such a profound impact on the health of children.

Voices Blog

|

May 21, 2018

Nourish Families Beyond Poverty

Read why pediatricians should screen all children for food insecurity, remain familiar with local resources such as food pantries, and advocate for support initiatives that make a big difference in many children’s lives.

Voices Blog

|

March 14, 2018

Last Updated

07/07/2021

Source

American Academy of Pediatrics