Result: Children are Healthy

A child’s development is shaped by a number of factors, such as genetics, relationships with parents or other caregivers, socioeconomics, and early childhood experiences. By supporting the healthy development of young children policymakers help to provide the foundation needed for children to grow into thriving adults. Children who are healthy and successful socially and emotionally have a greater chance of becoming economically productive and engaged citizens. In addition to the important benefit to children, making investments in the well-being of the next generation ultimately translates into both benefits to and savings for taxpayers.

What are the Key Elements to Achieving this Result?

• Reaching health and developmental milestones. Optimal results start with planned, healthy births to individuals who are prepared for parenthood and continue with children’s positive social and emotional development, safety, physical health and cognitive growth. Stress associated with maternal deprivation, poverty, poor nutrition and child abuse can lead to lifelong behavior, learning and physical and mental health problems .[1]
• Supportive families. Stable, secure and nurturing relationships are a core component of healthy development. Parents who have effective parenting skills, are literate and have the capacity to provide for their children’s physical and emotional needs, combined with connections to supportive networks and services, are the foundation for healthy and prepared children. Teens that delay parenthood, and plan for parenthood as adults, are better able to achieve educational and financial goals that result in better outcomes for their children.