It’s important that children have access to health insurance, immunizations, dental care, vision screening and mental health professionals.  When you’re growing up, you develop habits and patterns that will affect you as an adult. It’s invaluable to help young people understand that caring for themselves is an integral part of a healthy life.


Did You Know? 
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that 5.3 million young people aged 6-17 are overweight or obese.

According to the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, suicide is the third leading cause of death for 15-24 year olds and the sixth leading cause of death for five to 15 year olds.

The American Dietetic Association reports that more than 40 percent of girls and 32 percent of boys skip breakfast on a regular basis. 

The 2006 Sleep America Study found that only 20 percent of adolescents get the recommended 9 hours of sleep on school nights, with nearly 45 percent of young people sleeping less than eight hours a night.


Take Action! 
Help provide kids with a Healthy Start by organizing one of the projects listed on the right! Or, get creative and design a project of your own.