National Prevention Science Coalition to Improve Lives
A professional organization dedicated to translating scientific knowledge from the field of prevention science into effective and sustainable practices, systems and policies.
Our nation is failing its children. Despite our economic power, millions of children in the United States face grim realities. One in seven children live in poverty and are food insecure due to lack of financial supports for low-income families. The rates of child maltreatment are shockingly high and children are all too often subjected to substandard and unsafe environments in the home, in their neighborhood, and even in systems designed to protect them (e.g., child welfare, health care). More than 12% of children live with a parent who has a substance use disorder which impairs their ability to effectively parent. Our education system has stagnated, with only 33% of fourth grade children proficient in reading. Rates of infant mortality, obesity, mental health disorders are among the highest in the developed world. And firearm violence and accidents are now the number one killer of children in the U.S.
Children are much more diverse than adults (compare figures 1 and 2 in Examining the Racial and Ethnic Diversity of Adults and Children (census.gov). Because racial health disparities are major drivers of poor health, the effects of inequities are magnified for children. As these disparities deepen, the divide in health and longevity grows wider.
The Urgent Need for Action
We already know how to prevent these problems. Decades of scientific research have shown how to reduce child poverty and maltreatment, improve mental health, and afford children the opportunities they need to thrive. Yet, this knowledge has not been acted upon. As a result, rates of child depression, anxiety, and behavioral issues are worsening, and risk for chronic diseases later in life will continue to increase.
We need an unprecedented mobilization—a comprehensive, coordinated strategy to prioritize the health and well-being of every child in America. Every sector of society must contribute to this transformation.
01
Public Health Must Lead
Whole child health and well-being must become the top priority of our public health system and across all child-serving agencies. We need investments in creating nurturing, toxin-free environments for children, as well as community-based interventions, parenting support programs, expanded mental health services, and solutions to child hunger, poverty, and climate crisis-related trauma.
02
The Vital Role of Health Care Transformation
Health care systems, services, and providers must focus on the whole child and their wellbeing, rather than solely on the health problem they present with. A comprehensive preventative and developmental child health care approach is needed to effectively promote health, prevent, treat, and manage disease, and facilitate the recovery process.
03
Economic Justice for Children and their Families
Businesses and governments must adopt family-friendly policies—paid leave, living wages, childcare, and more—to lift families out of poverty and create stable environments for raising children.
05
Research on Whole Child Healthy Development and Wellbeing
A research agenda across NIH institutes and other funding agencies is needed to focus on the whole child--what they experience, conditions in which they live, and relationships they form. This research will reduce problems like obesity, diabetes, and substance use and mental health disorders, and tackle root causes such as poverty, inequities, discrimination, and environmental toxins.
04
Education Reform
Schools must provide an environment and the tools that meet the diverse needs of the developing child. Evidence-based teaching practices, sufficient support for teachers, expanded access to quality preschool, and tutoring for struggling students are needed. The academic success of our children is imperative for their success as adults, as well as for the health of their community and our overall society.
Proclaiming the Decade of the Child
We call on the next administration to proclaim the next ten years the DECADE OF THE CHILD—a national strategy to refocus public policies and systems on whole-child health and well-being and incentivize a program of research that equips policymakers, practitioners and communities with a roadmap toward this end. Just as the Decade of the Brain led to groundbreaking advancements, this initiative will drive transformative change for our children.
Imagine an America where, in ten years, infant mortality drops, child poverty is drastically reduced, and parents have the supports they need to nurture their children and avoid child maltreatment. All families have access to quality health and child care. Gun violence no longer threatens our children. Children are protected from climate-related traumas. And every school is a place of learning, support, and opportunity.
Family-friendly workplace policies will be the norm, and communities will flourish as systemic inequalities are dismantled. Businesses will thrive as they invest in the well-being of families, ensuring a generation of well-educated, healthy, productive workers.
The DECADE OF THE CHILD is a bold step toward a more just, prosperous, and compassionate society. In this America, our children will thrive—growing up healthy, happy, and secure, knowing they are valued by their nation.
Join Us in Making the DECADE OF THE CHILD a Reality
A proclamation by the incoming administration to embrace the DECADE OF THE CHILD will unite the nation around the vision of our children's future as our top priority. Legislators, agency officials, research funders, healthcare providers, educators, business leaders, and community advocates must come together to build the public and political will to make this vision a reality.
By acting now, we can focus all our efforts--by the White House, Congress, and the Public--to address the holistic needs of children, thereby transforming the state of their health and wellbeing in America. We can then ensure every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential. This is the future our children deserve.
Organizational Endorsements (updated December 17th)
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Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation (PIRE)
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Applied Prevention Science International
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Integrated Care for Kids/InCK Marks Network
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HEDCO Institute for Evidence-Based Educational Practice
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Association for Positive Behavior Support (APBS)
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itotheN | Intergenerational Impact
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Positive Childhood Alliance North Carolina
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Institute for Research and Development "Utrip"
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Partnership to End Addiction
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Blueprints for Healthy Youth Development
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Campaign for Trauma-Informed Policy & Practice
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Center for Whole Health Learning in K-12
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Association For Behavior Analysis International
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Nova Institute for Health
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Global Alliance for Behavioral Health & Social Justice
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PACEs Connection
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Society of Behavioral Medicine
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Advancing Parenting
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The Larry A. Green Center for the Advancement of Primary Health Care for the Public Good
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Brain Insights
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Educate Tomorrow's Parents
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Achieve Greatness
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Safe Kids Now National Network
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Kros Learning Group
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Research Institute for Key Indicators Data Lab
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Communities for Youth
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The Multidisciplinary Center on Childhood, Public Policy & Sustainable Society
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Just Learning Systems
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Association of Children's Museums
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RISE Institute
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Prevention Research Center, Penn State University
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Early Emotional Development Program Washingon University School of Medicine
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Social Development Research Group, School of Social Work, University of Washington
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Center for MH in Schools & Student/Learning Supports
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Society for Prevention Research
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Family Centered Treatment Foundation
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The Robin Foundation
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Growth UP Education, LLC
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The Faithful City
Funding for this effort is provided by the NOVA Institute for Health