So nice to have someone to chat with. Per Pediatrics (originally published online July 29, 2013) Diaper Need and It's Impact on Child Health, authors Smith MV et al, showed a significant association between maternal mental health and diaper need (diapers even more strongly associated than with depression than food need). Impact on Children: Parent less likely to engage in positive parenting & preventative child health practices. Parental depression and substance use linked to school readiness and early school success; impairments in cognitive and motor function; and increased risk for mental illness. Conclusion: Diapers have the potential to affect positive change across generations and government systems.
Also see article in Contemporary Pediatrics July 1, 2014: Diaper Need is a malady of early childhood poverty by Joanne Goldblum MSW. Goldblum says doctors are in position to raise awareness of diaper need, ask parents if they struggle to obtain diapers; help quantify scope and impact of diaper need; and direct families to resources.
A fairly recent peer-reviewed study of diaper need, found all families members felt both happier and healthier when their family was receiving help with diapers.
Looking forward to more thoughts.