Ryan White

The media cycle seems perpetually filled with reports of violence perpetrated against or by young people. But there are some encouraging trends in the data on violence and abuse against young people. Researchers just aren't sure how to explain the gains.

Awareness of just how damaging toxic stress and childhood adversity can be for a child's health and life prospects is growing. While leading experts call for bold new treatments, what approaches are already showing promise in reversing the effects on young bodies and minds?

New research has found that bullies had better health profiles than those not involved in bullying at all, while victims displayed less healthy blood readings over time. The study adds to a growing body of knowledge on how adversity and stress become embedded in our bodies and shape health.

The battle over school lunch returned this week, as a House subcommittee moved to weaken stricter school lunch standards set to go into effect later this year. Critics say the rules go to far and lead to kids dumping out their lunch. Supporters insist the rules will make kids healthier.

Preschool is enjoying a new heyday, right? Not so fast: A new report out this week from the National Institute of Early Education Research finds that in 2013, total enrollment in state-funded pre-K program dipped slightly, funding was flat, and quality was questionable in many programs.

One of the recurring themes in early childhood research is that early is rarely early enough. Positive back-and-forth interactions between kids and caregivers are key to building budding brains, while their absence can lead to kids who suffer the longterm effects of what experts call "toxic stress."

Last week, The Denver Post published “Prescription Kids,” a deeply reported six-part series on the rising prescription of psychotropic drugs for foster children. Post reporter Jennifer Brown shares how the series was reported in a Q&A.

While the CDC declared measles 'eliminated' in 2000, California is seeing an unusually high number of measles infections so far this year. And of the state’s 56 reported cases to date, one county has more than a third of them.

School nurses are increasingly stretched thin over many campuses or absent altogether due to budget cuts. Meanwhile, students are still showing up to school with complex health needs, putting new pressures on school staff to deliver levels of care they may not be trained or ready for.

A new study of one of the most famous early childhood programs in existence suggests that it had profound impacts on the adult health of the participants decades later. If the research holds, it could have major implications for health policy.