Health & Nutrition
1 out of every 5 uninsured children in the United States lives in Texas
CHILDREN AT RISK believes all children deserve a healthy food environment, safe opportunities for an active lifestyle, and access to preventative health services.
Center for Child Health Research & Policy
Without access to adequate healthcare and nutrition, children can’t properly grow, learn, and thrive. Early gaps, in a child’s fundamental health needs, have proven to have long-term consequences for health, educational attainment, and economic security later in life. CHILDREN AT RISK’s Center for Child Health Research & Policy (CCHRP) strives to improve the health of all children through collaboration, policy, research, and education. The Center believes that organizations across sectors should work together to create an infrastructure that aims to provide all children with a healthy food environment, safe opportunities for an active lifestyle, and access to preventative health services for them and their caregivers.
The Center for Child Health Research & Policy
Researches the root causes of economic, racial, and social disparities in children’s health.
Collaborates with community health experts, hospital systems, clinics, and schools to address disparities in health, prevent adverse childhood experiences, and tackle food insecurity.
Advocates for strategies to increase access to healthy foods, policies that protect recess and outdoor playtime for children in schools, supports maternal health, and extends health coverage for children.
Featured Resources
Kroger School Food Rankings
Free or Low-Cost Meals Maps
Universal School Breakfast & Afterschool Meal Case Studies
Health & Nutrition Research & Resources
C@R Hosts Roundtable with JFS Authors on Youth Suicide
Content Warning: Discussion of Suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. Contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or visit suicidepreventionlifeline.org for 24 hour support. Even before the pandemic, youth...
How did Children Fare in the 87th Texas Legislative Session?
Over the last 140 days, Children at Risk monitored thousands of bills, registered support for bills 93 times, provided written testimony 23 times, and provided oral testimony 20 times. Out of our initial legislative priorities, 17 bills ultimately made it to the...
Most student achievement is attributed to out-of-school factors
The following is the first in our Children's Health Vlog Series. This entry highlights the out-of-school health factors that influence student academic performance and their impact. It also covers best practices for crafting quality environments for children to learn...
May Round-Up: Busy Session, Bright Futures
The 87th Texas Legislative Session comes to a close The regular 87th Texas Legislative session wraps up in just a few days at midnight on Monday, May 31st. CHILDREN AT RISK staff have been working around the clock to support the public policies Texas families need...
2021 Kroger School Food Rankings
Across Texas, over 3 million students from low-income households qualify for free or reduced-price school meals through federal programs, such as the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program. For many of these children, meals eaten at school are...
2020 Kroger School Food Rankings
2020 Kroger School Food Rankings
Preventing Food Insecurity in Texas: How to Implement a School Food Pantry
By Stacy Cantu-Pawlik In Texas, 14.3% of children live in food insecure homes. That’s 1.4 million Texas households! Sadly, Texas is 1 out of 15 states in the U.S. with higher food insecurity rates. These children do not know where their next meal will come from, thus...
The Moment of Truth: Do We Care if Poor Kids Have Medical Coverage?
By Jenny Eyer & Dan Micciche Health coverage for children means a lot more than a yearly doctor’s visit. Children with health coverage have better school attendance, higher educational attainment, and improved economic opportunities than those without coverage. If...
2019 School Food Rankings
Across Texas, over 3 million low-income students qualify for free or reduced-price school meals through federal programs such as the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program. For many of these children, meals eaten at school are the only...
Closing the SNAP Gap
Composed of over 40 individuals from the public, private and nonprofit sectors, the Houston SNAP Task Force was convened by Houston Food Bank, Food Research & Action Center, and The Food Trust, and co-chaired by Houston Food Bank and CHILDREN AT RISK. The Houston...
The Status of School Recess in Texas School Districts
For students, recess serves as a break in the day for brains to relax and bodies to recharge. Students with recess are happier, healthier, and more focused. This time, often short, brings joy to many school children and teachers alike, yet its presence in a daily...
Number of Uninsured Children in Texas Could Increase 60% if Congress Fails to Renew CHIP
By David McClendon, Center for Social Measurement and Evaluation The uncertain fate of the Children’s Health Insurance Program, or CHIP, in Congress is putting 400,000 low-income Texas children at risk of losing their health insurance. CHIP provides health insurance...