More than 1 in 5 kids live in poverty ...an increase of 750,000 children may be homeless this year, living either in shelters or places not meant for habitation.
Judith Palfrey, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics, says family poverty increases many risks for children, including low birth weight, premature delivery, learning problems, asthma and other health problems. But the conservative Heritage Foundation's Robert Rector says the index offers little new information. He says the report doesn't mention that poor children's family incomes are supplemented by programs such as food stamps and housing assistance. "Most of the report is an advertising tool for more government programs and spending, which are pretty ineffective in increasing child well-being," he says.
The recession could wipe out virtually all economic progress for children since the Foundation for Child Development began analyzing data in 1975, says foundation president Ruby Takanishi. The U.S. Census Bureau says nearly 19% of families with children had incomes below the federal poverty level of $22,025 for a family of four in 2008, the latest year available.
Children could suffer long after the recession ends, Palfrey says. A pregnant woman with poor nutrition is more likely to deliver prematurely, for example, increasing the risks that her child will have medical problems.
"The consequences of poverty build on themselves," Palfrey says, "so that the outcomes can be felt for years to come USA Today
NOTE to Cap N Trade supporters:
By raising the cost of producing goods that are necessities, we make that choice.
Or we could lower the cost of energy 'create jobs' for these families and their children - Choice.