Despite growing awareness of the prevalence and devastating impact of adverse childhood experiences, our society has yet to take action to address these issues. North Carolina can lead the way
January 12, 2025
Opinion; By Diana Fishbein and Maddy Jupina
This opinion piece is originally published in the Fayetteville Observer
As we step into 2025, it is imperative that we not let another year pass before addressing the ongoing challenges children face in North Carolina. Adverse childhood experiences— such as exposure to violence, parental addiction or living in poverty — pose significant threats to their development and future success. With a staggering 15% of children in the state experiencing two or more ACEs and over 400,000 living below the poverty line, the urgency of the situation cannot be overstated.
These hardships ripple through lifetimes, leading to poor academic performance, mental health struggles, addiction and even chronic illness, with the potential to affect future generations. Despite growing awareness of the prevalence and devastating impact of ACEs, our society has yet to take concerted action to address these issues.
Policies and programs can help transform children's lives
Policymakers tend to often overlook children as a distinct group driving their agendas, even though children constitute one of the largest and most vulnerable groups in the United States, cutting across all sociodemographic categories, with the highest rates of poverty, unmet needs, food insecurity and exposure to adversity.
Children, as quiet constituents without political power, rely on the rest of us to advocate for their needs, protect them and enrich their environments. It is time for us to raise our voices to policymakers who have the authority and obligation to prioritize children in their political discourse.
The solutions are within reach. Decades of research have demonstrated that policies and programs —such as the child tax credit, free and reduced lunch, paid family leave, subsidized childcare, parental support programs, community-based family resource centers, and many others — can transform the lives of children and families. Unfortunately, political focus often leans towards addressing problems that have already become entrenched — including substance abuse, delinquency, health care, child welfare or juvenile justice system failings — rather than preventing them altogether.
NC lawmakers have the power to legislate with children's welfare in mind
It is incumbent upon the public to be strident in our demands for greater representation of children’s issues in our policymakers’ agendas — a supply and demand equation. The media and political consultants must draw attention to the need for a bipartisan and evidence-based policy platform that serves to protect and nurture our children. This is one issue area where both political parties can agree — that all children should be afforded every opportunity for good health, safety and wellbeing.
North Carolina’s General Assembly has the awesome power to legislate with children’s welfare in mind.
By investing in preventative solutions and supporting home, school and community environments where all children can thrive, the state can unlock boundless potential in its youngest residents. With the necessary tools to succeed, children will do so beyond our wildest dreams.
Dr. Diana Fishbein is a senior scientist in the Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, and President of the National Prevention Science Coalition to Improve Lives (NPSC).
Maddy Jupina is a doctoral student in the Communication Arts & Sciences at Penn State University and an intern with the National Prevention Science Coalition to Improve Lives (NPSC).
This opinion piece can also be found in The Fayetteville Observer at: https://www.fayobserver.com/story/opinion/2025/01/12/address-nc-childrens-issues-say-duke-researchers/77571491007/?utm_source=ntfo-DailyBriefing&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=daily-briefing&utm_term=Content%20List%20-%20Stacking%20-%20optimized&utm_content=NORTHCAROLINA-FAYETTEVILLE-NLETTER65
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