Housing Stability, the Pandemic, and Our Youth: Strategies to Improve Children's Health During COVID-19

As millions of Californians shelter in place, it’s clear that very little matters as much as a safe, stable home. This is especially true for our children. Decades of public health research show that conditions during pregnancy and early childhood are some of the most important factors influencing lifetime health—affecting physical well-being and educational and behavioral outcomes. The COVID-19 pandemic adds new importance to housing stability for children. Solving the housing crisis may be the single greatest opportunity to improve family health in California—and a crucial step in slowing the spread of COVID-19.