Delaware journal of public health最新文献

Objective: This study explored the lived experience of Delaware families residing in homeless shelters and motels with young children. We focused on their daily experiences to gain understanding about their day-to-day living to foster understanding about optimal supports that can facilitate more permanent housing arrangements.

Methods: We used qualitative approaches to obtain descriptions about the daily lives of families experiencing homelessness with young children. Semi-structured interviews were conducted between November 2022 and February 2023. This study analyzes data from three families using open and thematic coding methods.

Results: Families experiencing homelessness with young children discussed their struggle to locate housing, attend to day-to-day tasks, and maintain and obtain employment. Having access to conveniently located affordable and available child care and reliable transportation were discussed across the themes.

Conclusions: Evidence building through gathering pertinent qualitative information is a critical step toward understanding the needs of families experiencing homeless. Findings from this study can inform state-level policy and state and non-profit agencies' practices.

Policy implications: Current policies that support family homelessness could be adjusted to better address connecting families to resources (e.g., direct connection to landlords), transportation (e.g., increasing allotted bus passes, providing a "free" monthly bus pass), and child care (e.g., co-located care - shelter plus child care, funding enrollment slots left "open" specifically for families experiencing homelessness).

Objective: In this article we examine the current state of youth mental health across the United States and in Delaware, and discuss the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health and well-being of children and adolescents.

Methods: We review available literature detailing the short- and long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on youth mental health and discuss the resultant programmatic and legislative efforts in Delaware and nationally.

Results: The COVID-19 pandemic had a severe impact on the mental health of young people. The prevalence of depression and anxiety among children and adolescents, which was already increasing pre-pandemic, spiked after the pandemic's onset. Even as public health precautions have lifted, young people continue to struggle with mental health in conjunction with lower levels of educational achievement, hindered social development, increased screen time, diminished access to effective mental healthcare, and economic instability. The negative impact of the pandemic will continue to have ramifications on the health and wellbeing of young people for years to come.

Conclusions: Compiling evidence examining mental health trends is an important first step to understanding the impact of the pandemic on child and adolescent mental health and developing effective solutions.

Policy implications: Although the official state of emergency is over, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are far-reaching and long-lasting. It is imperative that legislators and program administrators in Delaware and nationally work to ensure that young people and their families have access to affordable, high quality mental healthcare.

As leaders in the healthcare and business sectors, members of the Delaware Board of Directors for the American Heart Association, and advocates for cardiovascular health and well-being, we know that supporting Delaware's youngest children promotes public health and thriving communities.