Disclaimer: Moving Health Care Upstream is a collaborative effort originally co-led by Nemours Children’s Health and the Center for Healthier Children, Families & Communities at the University of California- Los Angeles (UCLA). The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Nemours, UCLA or the Moving Health Care Upstream initiative.
Authors:
- Joshua Ogburn, Manager of Policy
- Katie Boyer, Senior Advisor, Legislative & Regulatory Affairs
- Daniella Gratale, Director, Office of Child Health Policy & Advocacy
Poverty is the single largest driver of health according to the World Health Organization. A 2019 National Academies of Sciences report noted, “on average, a child growing up in a family whose income is below the poverty line experiences worse outcomes than a child from a wealthier family in virtually every dimension.”[i] Congress has an opportunity to ensure that children have a strong start in life by maintaining crucial anti-poverty provisions in the Build Back Better Act.