Topic
Children, Youth and Families
The IOM undertakes many activities related to the health and development of children, youth, and families. Our work focuses in particular on child and adolescent health, immunizations, nutrition, access to insurance, family planning, and palliative care, as well as other health concerns unique to children.
Reports Related to Children, Youth and Families
Report Releases
Latest Report
Released: November 15, 2011
Early childhood care and education (ECCE) settings offer an opportunity to provide children with a solid beginning in all areas of their development. The quality and efficacy of these settings depend largely on the individuals within the ECCE workforce. Policy makers need a complete picture of ECCE teachers and caregivers in order to tackle the persistent challenges facing this workforce. The IOM and the National Research Council hosted a workshop to describe the ECCE workforce and outline its parameters. Speakers explored issues in defining and describing the workforce, the marketplace of ECCE, the effects of the workforce on children, the contextual factors that shape the workforce, and opportunities for strengthening ECCE as a profession.
Most Viewed Report
Released: March 18, 2011
Historically, researchers studying how families affect children’s health and development have used methods that best assess traditional family structures--two married, biological parents. But with the definition of “family” rapidly expanding, researchers are considering how to modify their approach. The IOM held a workshop July 13-14, 2010, to examine the methodologies used in research on families and opportunities to improve our understanding of family influences on child outcomes.
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