Abstract
If ZIP code is more important than genetic code in determining one's health and opportunities, how can pediatricians enable healthy and opportunity-rich environments for all children? This paper introduces a broad network of organizations, policies, and financial resources that are working to improve ZIP codes by tackling poverty at the neighborhood level. The mission-driven US community development sector began with the War on Poverty in the 1960s and 70s and comprises a network of finance, real estate, and community-based organizations working together to overturn decades of racially motivated disinvestment, revitalize persistently marginalized, low-income communities, and enhance the lives of the people who live in them. Across the country, thousands of community development corporations, community development financial institutions, affordable housing developers, and regulated for-profit banks together invest over $300 billion annually in affordable housing, childcare and early learning facilities, recreation centers, community clinics, grocery stores, small businesses, and financial services for low-income families and neighborhoods. We present successful examples of community development efforts targeting child health and opportunity and highlight opportunities for pediatricians to advise, collaborate, and partner in order to accelerate and maximize the impact of billions of dollars invested in support of healthier neighborhoods where all children can grow and thrive.
Highlights
TAGEDPIT IS OFTEN said that ZIP code is more important than genetic code in determining one’s health and opportunities
What if pediatricians had communitybased partners with access to hundreds of billions of dollars to invest in these neighborhoods and an openness to guidance on how to best spend those funds for the greatest benefit of children living in poverty? This paper will introduce the US community development sector, a nationwide network of organizations, policies, and financing not well known to most pediatricians, describe examples of this sector’s investments that promote health and opportunity, and suggest ways for pediatricians to advise, collaborate, and partner in support of healthier neighborhoods where all children can grow and thrive
Differences in child health and well-being across neighborhoods have long been recognized by pediatricians who see the consequences of community poverty every day
Summary
Neighborhood Poverty and Child Health: Investing in Communities to Improve Childhood Opportunity and Well-Being. We present successful examples of community development efforts targeting child health and opportunity and highlight opportunities for pediatricians to advise, collaborate, and partner in order to accelerate and maximize the impact of billions of dollars invested in support of healthier neighborhoods where all children can grow and thrive. This paper will introduce the US community development sector, a nationwide network of organizations, policies, and financing not well known to most pediatricians, describe examples of this sector’s investments that promote health and opportunity, and suggest ways for pediatricians to advise, collaborate, and partner in support of healthier neighborhoods where all children can grow and thrive. Pediatricians are accustomed to seeing families one at a time, and through their training and experience understand that family characteristics contribute significantly to child well-being What they consider less often is ACADEMIC PEDIATRICS.
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