Chicago parents view climate change not only as a global crisis, but as a very real problem at home that can threaten their childrens health. In the first known study of Chicago parents concerns about the impact of climate change on their families, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Childrens Hospital of Chicago identified significant levels of worry.
Chicagos weather patterns and water levels in Lake Michigan are influenced by climate change and have the potential to affect more than 1 million children and youth. Rising temperatures and decreased air quality affect young people by increasing risks of asthma and allergies. These conditions also make playing outside potentially dangerous for young people with respiratory difficulties, limiting exercise and ability to breathe fresh, clean air. In turn, this can contribute to higher levels of obesity among children. There is also evidence that climate change negatively affects newborns health, creates food insecurity when healthy food supplies are interrupted, and can contribute to worsening mental health among youth.
Young people are living with climate-related changes in the atmosphere at a time when their organs and immune systems are developing. Based on what is known about the importance of child health for patterns of health and illness throughout life, these climate-related effects may stay with them as they grow into adulthood, says Matthew M. Davis, MD, MAPP, Chair of the Department of Medicine at Lurie Childrens, Executive Vice-President and Chief Community Health Transformation Officer at the Patrick M. Magoon Institute for Healthy Communities at Lurie Childrens, and Chair of Pediatrics at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.
The Voices survey found that Latinx parents were most concerned about climate change affecting their family (41 percent said they were very concerned), followed by Asian/other parents (36 percent), White parents (29 percent), and Black parents (17 percent). For parents with some high school education, 38 percent said they were very concerned about climate change affecting their family, followed by 32 percent of parents with a college education or higher, and 22 percent of parents with some college or technical school education.
Everyone has a role to play in slowing climate change and improving childrens health. The United Nations ActNow campaign offers a mobile resource, A World, to build and track actions toward a more livable world. The campaign also suggests actions that, in different ways, can reduce greenhouse gases in the environment:
The City of Chicago developed a 2022 Climate Action Plan to accelerate reduction of greenhouse gas emissions 80 percent by 2050. This goal involves multiple initiatives to improve environmental quality, including reducing carbon emissions, increasing household energy savings, and improving community health.
This report is based on data from the Voices of Child Health in Chicago Parent Panel Survey. The survey is administered to a sample of Chicago parents by Lurie Childrens and NORC at the University of Chicago via internet and telephone. The survey is administered to the same panel of parents three times each year. The data in this report was collected from May through July 2021. The sample consisted of 1,620 Chicago parents, step-parents, or guardians who had at least one child under 18 years of age in the household (referred to as parents in this report). Parents were from all 77 community areas in Chicago and data are weighted to be representative of households with children across the city.
Population-focused child health research at Lurie Childrens is conducted through the Mary Ann & J. Milburn Smith Child Health Outcomes, Research, and Evaluation Center at the Stanley Manne Childrens Research Institute. The Manne Research Institute is focused on improving child health, transforming pediatric medicine and ensuring healthier futures through the relentless pursuit of new knowledge. Lurie Childrens is ranked as one of the nations top childrens hospitals in U.S. News & World Report and is the pediatric training affiliate for Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Last year, the hospital served more than 223,000 children from all 50 states, Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico, and 37 countries.
From ushering our guests onto the elevators, to tutoring patients at their bedside, volunteers are involved in countless aspects of our patients care, and they are vital to keeping the hospital the warm and friendly place that it is. They are also dedicated to our cause, providing over 60,000 hours of service each year.
We make sure that only the most qualified individuals are admitted into our program. Volunteers are carefully screened and placed into appropriate assignments. They also must adhere to standard policies and procedures. The placement process includes:
We understand your child's hospitalization may be a very stressful time for you, your child and your family, so our specially trained and certified social workers collaborate with your childs medical team to make sure your child has the best hospital stay possible.
We can provide brief counseling and help families in crisis situations, which may include sudden illness, accidental injuries, child protection situations or major life changes. We also help connect families with more state and local resources that can help with child safety concerns.
Social workers enhance families' health, social-functioning and well-being. We provide services in a family-centered manner holistic, compassionate and culturally competent. Our team is guided by values and beliefs in:
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services:A state agency that provides 'a range of services to help you become healthy and self-sufficient.'Provides information about child protection, foster care, adoption, day care licensing and much more.
Illinois Department of Human Services:This agency offers assistance with basic family needs (food, shelter, housing), mental health resources, financial help and rehabilitation services. The department's site for people with disabilities covers employment, education, independent living, etc. Also provides information about nutrition for low-income women, infants and children, including who can apply and office locations.
Illinois Department of Public Health:A wealth of information is found here on heath issues and statistics, diagnoses, adoption, blood lead levels and emergency medical services for children. Also provides information on how to access vital records.
Division of Specialized Care for Children:Care coordination for children with special health needs, including disabilities in infants, toddlers, children and youth; provides information on special education services and research on effective education for children with disabilities. Information on how to apply for DSCC benefits is also included. This agency may help with finances where insurance stops.
State of Illinois, Developmental Disabilities:Provides information on what developmental disabilities, what services are available, qualifications, locations of local coordination agencies and frequently asked questions.