Sen. Tom Carper, D-Del., in a column he co-wrote for Roll Call, said now is the time to improve the health of our nation’s children.

Carper and his co-writer Kara Odom Walker, executive vice president and chief population health officer at Nemours Children’s Health noted: “Across the U.S., a growing challenge to our children’s mental and physical well-being has been felt in every corner of our country — while countless children and youth are fulfilled and thriving physically and mentally, so many are struggling. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that over the last 10 years, feelings of persistent sadness and hopelessness — as well as suicidal thoughts and behaviors — increased by about 40% among young people in this country.

“In 2022, 8.8% of children lived in households experiencing food insecurity, and 1 in 5 children were at risk of hunger. Various federal and state programs are working to address these and other social and developmental needs so that all children can reach their full potential. Regrettably, these programs sometimes lack coordination, leading to missed opportunities for prevention and early intervention in the communities and places where children spend their time.

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