Children's Health

The foundation of
well-being & development

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Take Action

Help get the word out about changes to kids’ health programs

Join The Children’s Movement of California

Donate to Children Now

 
 

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Reports & Research

California County Scorecard of Children’s Well-Being, 2012

KIDS COUNT Data Book, 2012

California Report Card, 2011-12

 

Childhood Obesity & Dental Disease: Common Causes, Common Solutions, 2011

Healthier Kids, Stronger Families & A Better Future for California, 2009

Dental Cuts Bite Children, Cost All Californians: The Case for Investing in School-Based Preventive Services, 2009

See All Reports & Research

 

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Related News

Child health advocates say plan to scrap Healthy Families will cost, not save (KPCC-FM)

Senate Rejects ACA/Exchange Bill (CA Healthline)

More Empty Recommendations on Junk Food Marketing to Children (The Huffington Post)

 

Health insurance law for children is being played out (LA Times)

Special Report: How Washington went soft on childhood obesity (Reuters)

See All News

 

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Policy Priorities

Maximize the number of eligible children enrolled in state health insurance programs.

Prioritize funding for existing children’s health coverage programs, vis-à-vis other state budget items, accounting for increased need during the economic downturn.

Expand access to pediatric care providers, including supporting the development of new pediatric care delivery models.

 

Make it easier for needy families to participate in CalFresh.

Support a state tax on sweetened beverages to help reduce dental decay and obesity.

Centralize the creation of a comprehensive public policy agenda to address obesity.

Capitalize fully on federal funding opportunities available to California for children’s oral health.

Align Medi-Cal dentist reimbursement rates more closely with private dental coverage to improve children’s access to pediatric dental care.

See All Policy Priorities

 

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Facts & Figures

Children are less likely to have health insurance in only nine other states aside from California.

Co-location of community and family resources in schools has been effective in decreasing student hospitalizations, increasing attendance and improving parents’ involvement in their children’s education.

Participation in school-based physical activity programs, such as school sports, promotes teamwork, physical fitness and connectedness, which in turn may lower dropout rates.

 

Children in California without dental insurance (59%) are more likely to miss two or more school days per year due to a dental problem than children with private dental insurance (33%).

34% of California’s adolescents report having consumed an alcoholic beverage. Among adolescents who report having consumed alcohol, 14% report having engaged in binge drinking within the past month.

See All Facts & Figures

 

Resources

Child-Centered Health Homes in California

 
 

Good health is essential to positive outcomes for children and the strength of our society. Unfortunately, several big factors—including lack of affordable health insurance and obesity—are working against children’s health today.

Without rapid intervention, children’s health issues will dramatically impact our future.

The number of children without health coverage is far too high, due to families losing employer-based insurance in the economic downturn and the ballooning cost of coverage making it unaffordable. And, as a result of obesity, children today belong to the first generation of Americans whose life expectancy is projected to be shorter than their parents.

Children Now addresses the issues undermining children’s health and general well-being, with focused work on: health coverage, oral health, the obesity epidemic and integrated services.