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Children's Health's 2025 Beyond ABC Report: A Call to Action

The latest report from Children's Health, a premier pediatric healthcare system in North Texas, sheds light on the pressing mental health issues faced by children in the region. Titled "Beyond ABC: Assessing Children’s Well-Being in North Texas," this 2025 edition outlines both progress achieved and the hurdles still inhibiting the health and well-being of youth across Texas.

About the Report

Overview

Launched in collaboration with the University of Texas at Dallas Institute for Urban Policy Research, the Beyond ABC report is a biennial assessment that evaluates vital indicators of child health, safety, economic stability, and educational success across various North Texas counties. As Texas experiences exponential growth in its pediatric population, this report serves as a critical resource to identify patterns and persistent challenges among families.

Christopher J. Durovich, the President and CEO of Children’s Health, emphasizes the importance of addressing these evolving issues: "Families today face increasingly complex challenges. By spotlighting crucial topics like mental health, online safety, and access to healthcare, we hope this report inspires collective action to make life better for children today and for generations to come."

Key Findings

The report presents mixed news: while some areas of child well-being have seen improvements, significant disparities persist, particularly regarding mental health and accessible care. Alarmingly, more than one in five youths in North Texas have seriously contemplated suicide, emphasizing a dire need for enhanced mental health services.

The Beyond ABC report outlines specific recommendations to mitigate these challenges:

1. Increase Access to Mental and Behavioral Health Care:
The reported rise in emotional and behavioral health issues among youth necessitates coordinated efforts to establish school and community-based mental health services. Accessible, timely support is critical for all children experiencing these challenges.

2. Protect and Expand Medicaid Coverage:
Texas is currently home to the highest rate of uninsured children in the nation at 11.9%, nearly twice the national average. Ensuring continued support for Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) is vital for the welfare of thousands of low-income families.

3. Address Housing Stability Challenges:
Economic difficulties have left many families vulnerable, with a steep 30% increase in students lacking permanent housing from 2020 to 2024 in Dallas County. Efforts are crucial to provide affordable housing options and comprehensive support programs aimed at fostering stability.

4. Prioritize Educational Funding:
The report also noted a decline in third-grade reading proficiency across North Texas, signaling the need for increased investment in literacy initiatives and equitable school funding to ensure educational success for every child.

Community Engagement and Call for Action

To address the findings, the Beyond ABC Symposium convened local leaders from various sectors, including healthcare, education, and policy-making, to deliberate on actionable strategies stemming from the report. Notably, Zach Rausch, the Senior Research Scientist at NYU’s Stern School of Business, and chief researcher for Jonathan Haidt, discussed how digital exposure has reshaped childhood experiences, underscoring the need to balance technology use with nurturing connections.

An advisory board featuring experts across healthcare, education, philanthropy, and social services guided these recommendations, ensuring they encompass both data and real-life experiences crucial for inspiring community action. Timothy M. Bray, Ph.D., director of the Institute for Urban Policy Research, stated, "It's an honor to collaborate with Children's Health in producing a biennial resource that helps North Texas identify progress and persistent gaps affecting our community's children."

Through the insights provided in the 2025 Beyond ABC report, Children's Health is calling on all stakeholders to champion changes that will protect and promote the health of North Texas children, ensuring a promising future for the next generation. For a deeper dive into the full report and further insights, you can visit childrens.com/beyondabc.

About Children's Health

Children’s Health is North Texas's leading pediatric healthcare provider. Known for its extensive facilities, including Children’s Medical Center Dallas and Plano, the system consistently ranks among the top children's hospitals nationwide, with a robust commitment to delivering exceptional care across various pediatric specialties. With multifaceted awards for nursing excellence and an exceptional work environment, Children’s Health exemplifies a model for pediatric care and innovation.

For more information about Children's Health or to support their initiatives, please visit childrens.com and follow them on their social media channels.