Kids Get One Childhood
As New York State Health Commissioner, a pediatrician and a dad, there is one truth I keep coming back to: Kids get one childhood.
Being a child is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. And so much of the rest of our lives, as our physical health, emotional well-being, relationships and ability to learn and thrive, is shaped during those early years.
That is why protecting childhood is not just a responsibility for parents and families. It is also a public health responsibility.
And that responsibility begins before a child is born.
Healthy pregnancies give babies a healthy start. New York became the first state in the nation to provide pregnant workers with 20 hours of paid prenatal leave, giving expectant mothers the ability to attend medical appointments without having to choose between their health and a paycheck.
New York has also extended Medicaid coverage for a full year postpartum and eliminated certain out-of-pocket costs for pregnancy-related care for people enrolled in the Essential Plan.
These policies recognize something pediatricians have long understood, which is supporting children means supporting families from the very beginning.
As children grow, the environments we create around them do too.
Schools are among the most influential places in a child’s life. They should be places where young people can learn, build relationships and develop the skills they will carry into adulthood.
That is why New York’s bell-to-bell restrictions on smartphones in schools matter. Children deserve the opportunity to be present during the school day to focus on their teachers, talk with one another, make friends and spend less time looking at a screen. One year in, the results speak for themselves: a survey of educators across the state found 80% say the restrictions have “delivered positive results for their school.”
At the same time, technology is an important part of our lives and our children’s futures. Phones can help stay connected to friends and family, and they can be valuable tools for communication, learning and belonging. Parents and teachers also know how difficult it can be to set limits around their use. Thoughtful boundaries and moderation can help ensure technology supports childhood rather than crowding out the experiences children also need.
Children cannot concentrate on algebra, science or reading when they are hungry. Free breakfast and lunch ensure that all New York students can arrive ready to learn, regardless of family income.
And childhood should not happen entirely inside a classroom.
Children need time to run, explore, imagine and play. And playtime is not time taken away from learning. It is one of the ways children actively learn about the world, developing creativity, confidence, problem solving skills and relationships with others.
That is why investments in playgrounds, community centers and youth recreation through New York’s Unplug and Play initiative matter. So do investments through NY SWIMS to expand access to swimming.
Swimming can build confidence and independence. And, importantly, learning to swim can be a lifesaving skill.
Protecting childhood also means protecting children from preventable disease.
Vaccination remains one of the most effective public health tools we have. New York continues to maintain strong school immunization requirements and support evidence-based childhood vaccination, so families and health care providers have the tools they need to keep children healthy.
Public policy can help create the conditions that allow children to thrive: a healthy start to life, nutritious food, protection from preventable illness, opportunities to learn without unnecessary distractions and safe places to move, play and grow.
Governor Kathy Hochul has advanced initiatives across each of these areas, from maternal health and school meals to phone-free schools, recreation and swimming.
Each addresses a different challenge, but together they reflect a basic public health principle that can sometimes get lost amid budgets, programs and policy debates.
Kids get one childhood.
We have a responsibility to help make it a healthy one.
Dr. James McDonald, New York State Health Commissioner
