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Babies and Young Children at High Risk of Poverty

Babies and Young Children at High Risk of Poverty

On Tuesday, the U.S. Census Bureau released its annual collection of data on poverty, income, health insurance coverage for 2013. As in past years, the numbers confirm the disturbing trend that young children continue to be the age group most likely to live in poverty, although the level has declined slightly. Poverty has particularly pernicious effects for very young children, as their brains are rapidly developing and are extra-sensitive to surroundings. For young children who grow up in poverty, early adverse experiences — such as limited access to good nutrition, fewer enriching learning experiences, and housing instability — create chronic stress that undermines healthy brain and physical development.

The following is a statement from Matthew Melmed, Executive Director of Zero to Three:

“While we are glad to see the numbers for young children slightly decline, the overall high level of babies and toddlers in poverty continues to corrode their opportunity to thrive in the world’s richest country.  As the American economy turns the corner, we simply can no longer afford to ignore these trends. The timing of poverty matters. It has a long reach and will impact our future workforce and future economy. Scarceness of life’s basics for young children creates effects that will follow them as they grow, placing them at greater risk for later school failure, lower earnings, and health problems as adults. The fact that more than one in five babies starts life in poverty, at risk of falling behind from day one, has dire implications for our nation’s ability to succeed in an increasingly competitive global economy.”

Other takeaways from the U.S. Census report:

  • More than one in five (23 percent) babies and toddlers live in families below the federal poverty line.
  • Nearly 8 percent of young children under 6 do not have health insurance, making them less likely to see a doctor and receive crucial preventive care and screening.

Press release contributed by Zero to Three.

Vancouver Family Magazine is a free monthly family magazine with a mission to strengthen a sense of community by providing Southwest Washington families with comprehensive and locally based resources and information regarding parenting, education, news, community events and personalities, recreation, and more. Go here to learn our story and how we connect your family to the organizations, resources and ideas that help your family thrive.

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