Family and Youth Health

Healthy, thriving children are the foundation of shared civic, economic, and physical wellbeing. Caring for children and the adults in their lives sets us up for a thriving Frederick.

The earliest years of life are a period of rapid growth and development, affecting the learning and skills that develop later. A strong foundation is needed for lifelong health and wellbeing. Some negative conditions include:

• Lack of access to healthy food 
• Uneven quality of schools that Black children attend
• Barriers to other vital conditions for good health 
• Historical, intergenerational trauma

All this adds up! We need solutions like equitable access to high-quality medical care, good education, and access to brain-building, stimulating child care.

 Addressing Health Disparities in Black Families and Children lies in addressing Black families and children's critical health needs, recognizing the pressing urgency of health disparities within these communities. The statistics are stark:

• The death rate among Black youth ages 1-19 has increased by 37% between 2014-2020, compared to less than a 5% increase among white youths.
• Black infants are more than two times as likely to die as White infants.
• Black adults report negative interactions with doctors or other health care providers at a rate of 55%.
• Black youth ages 10-24 saw a 36.6% increase in suicide rates from 2018-2021.
• Black children are more than twice likely to be food insecure than White children.

These statistics underscore the urgent need for action. Structural racism permeates the systems determining our health outcomes, perpetuating disparities that must be urgently addressed. Watch the video below to hear about Dr. Dougé's mission, rooted in dismantling these systemic barriers, advocating for equitable access to high-quality medical care, and empowering Black families and children to thrive.