Post by Gale Coleman on Jun 7, 2017 17:27:52 GMT -8
1.1. Why do we need to have health policies in early learning programs?
I think the reason why we need to have health policies in early learning programs is because when we as a society pay attention to the health of the children our communities thrive and prosper, we help promote their success in meeting challenges. Healthy children live in families, environments, and communities that provide them with several opportunities to reach their full developmental potential. Children when children are exposed to chronic, long-term forms of poverty, domestic violence, mental illness, and substance abuse this undermines a healthy brain and puts some children at risk for poor health, education and behavioral outcomes. But when children get timely and appropriate screenings, referrals, and are enrolled in early childhood development programs, this prevents more costly and chronic problems before they happen, this approach should a priority for states, because too many children are at risk for developmental and behavioral problems and the opportunity of early detection is missed. The American Academy of Pediatrics estimates that between 12% and 16% of children have developmental or behavioral delays or disorders, and without health policies in early learning programs finding programs designed to address those children in need can be difficult, and for children who have persistent high needs that don’t get the help they need, there would be serious and costly consequences. So, we need to have health policies in all early learning programs to improve our society’s future by enhancing children’s health. And it is critical to include strategies that address all the determinants of health and health equity.