Starting Early

👋 Happy 2024! We have an exciting year ahead, including the launch of a First 1,000 Days Policy Coalition to advance 2-generation, family-friendly policies to help build the foundation for lifelong well-being. Future issues of Starting Early – which moves to a monthly publication schedule this year — will provide updates and information as we progress.

Healthy families hinge on healthy mothers. Unfortunately, though, the United States has the highest maternal mortality rates in the developed world. That’s devastating for families. Complications from mental health issues, including suicide and overdose, are the most common cause of maternal death in the first year after birth.

👋 As is our tradition, this final Starting Early issue of 2023 honors Burke Foundation Community Champions whose work transforms the lives of families during the all-important First 1,000 Days from pregnancy to age 2.

Join us in celebrating these 5 passionate, influential advocates. They are exemplary leaders — from being on the front lines of delivering services in real time to reimagining entire systems in support of families with young children.

Each Community Champion embodies the spirit and practice of Early Relational Health and the science behind it. They understand the devastating financial, emotional, and logistical challenges that prevent many families from thriving.

👋 When I was a new mom with a background in public health and philanthropy, I was drawn to work at the Burke Foundation. I was impressed by its commitment to children and strategic investment in the health of young families. Our president, James Burke, and our trustees understand the role of — and need for solutions to — adversity in shaping young children’s health and, in turn, the health of families and communities.

One of the most intriguing approaches to addressing childhood adversity is Early Relational Health. What is it? It’s as simple to explain as it is crucial to the well-being of every child, family, and community: Nurturing relationships between caregivers and babies build a strong foundation for lifelong health.

👋 We often think about climate change as an adult problem: What happens if our home is damaged by storm, flood, or fire? How can I reduce my family’s carbon footprint? What mess are we leaving for our kids when they grow up?

But climate change is a problem for kids now — whether they live in a coastal area, near fire-prone forests, or in a city that holds onto heat and pollution. That hit home for me this summer, when the heavy smoke from Canadian wildfires meant bringing masks for my kids to wear at school and cancellation of their recess and activities.

👋 Parenting is hard. Parenting without adequate resources is exponentially harder. For children to thrive, parents and caregivers need the breathing room to nurture and bond. That’s why we look for ways to support parents and children. Relieving stress on families — whether economic, emotional, or from any other source — during this critical time helps build the foundation for lifelong physical and mental health and well-being.

During the pandemic, state and federal programs, such as increased child tax credits, child care investments, and food assistance, were a big help for people struggling to make ends meet. Child poverty dropped to a historic low of 5.2%. 

👋 I always knew reading to my sons was a way to prepare them to learn to read. But the more we read, the more I looked forward to that time as a chance to snuggle together, exploring sounds and voices and far-off worlds. It turns out that our reading sessions were also a way for us to connect deeply and build Early Relational Health – a strong foundation that can help them navigate the challenges of a lifetime.

Stable and nurturing relationships protect children; they have the power to heal them from the health-threatening impacts of childhood adversity. As a bookworm, I cherish the idea that reading together can be another tool to help connect with and support a child’s healthy development.

👋 Welcome back from what we hope was a rejuvenating summer. In between much-needed time away, we’ve been busy at Burke advancing early childhood initiatives and efforts to improve maternal health. This issue of Starting Early dives into causes of maternal mortality, including an interview with maternal health advocate Kimberly Seals Allers. Please take note of a new regular feature in Starting Early: “Tools You Can Use.”

For the first time in a century, maternal mortality and “near misses” are on the rise across the US, especially among Black women.

An American mother today is more likely than her mother was to die in childbirth.

👋 Welcome to Starting Early. Every other week, we spotlight new reports, useful news, engaging interviews with people doing important work, and interesting takes on maternal health and early childhood development issues.

The feeling that you “belong” is fundamental to living a happy and healthy life. Without meaningful and high-quality social connections, our mental, physical, and psychological well-being suffers. But belonging has grown more elusive in today’s world. Increased political polarization, economic inequality, and racial injustice — among other things — contribute to greater division and what experts are calling a “crisis of belonging.”

• The feeling of not belonging can lead to loneliness.

👋 Welcome to Starting Early. Every other week, we spotlight new reports, useful news, engaging interviews with people doing important work, and interesting takes on maternal health and early childhood development issues.

Fathers are more involved in their children’s lives than ever before. They spend more time with their kids, take on greater household responsibilities, and are more likely to be stay-at-home dads. These changes benefit mothers and children too: Active dads contribute to improved child well-being and reduced parenting stress for moms. 

But policies and programs geared toward families haven’t caught up. They often downplay or ignore the importance of dads, missing opportunities to help dads get support and resources that foster thriving families.

👋 Welcome to Starting Early. Every other week, we spotlight new reports, useful news, engaging interviews with people doing important work, and interesting takes on maternal health and early childhood development issues.

It’s often said that “you are what you eat.” And it’s true — a balanced diet of nutritious foods promotes good mental and physical health. Unfortunately, nearly 34 million people in the US, including 5 million children, frequently aren’t able to obtain such foods.

• They face food insecurity— the “lack of consistent access to enough food for every person in a household to live an active, healthy life.”