children – Page 39 – Stepping Stones Center

September 22, 2026· Pediatric Healthcare

WHO Launches Specialized Training Course to Empower Parliamentarians in Global Health Security

The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially unveiled a new, specialized online training course titled "The Role of Parliaments and Parliamentarians in Strengthening Health Security Preparedness." This initiative represents a strategic effort to bridge the gap between technical public health expertise and the legislative power required to implement sustainable, nationwide health security frameworks. By providing…

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September 22, 2026· Learning Disabilities

New Texas Strategic Plan Aims to Expand Early Childhood Inclusion for Children with Disabilities, But Experts Call for Deep Funding and Policy Reform

FORT WORTH, Texas — State agencies in Texas have unveiled a comprehensive new initiative aimed at dramatically improving access to early childhood settings for children with disabilities and developmental delays. However, early childhood experts, parents, and policy advocates caution that while the roadmap is a promising and overdue acknowledgement of systemic failures, it must be…

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September 21, 2026· Child Development

Finding the Sleep Sweet Spot: New Study Links Sleep Duration to Accelerated Biological Aging Across Organ Systems

A pioneering analysis of biological aging has revealed a striking connection between sleep habits and the internal clockwork of the human body. The research suggests that both insufficient and excessive sleep are associated with accelerated aging in critical organs—including the brain, heart, lungs, and the immune system—and are deeply intertwined with a broad spectrum of…

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September 21, 2026· Pediatric Healthcare

African Nations Lead Historic Charge with $45 Million Pledge to Secure WHO’s Future

In a landmark display of regional solidarity and commitment to global health security, 14 African nations and a coalition of prominent international partners have pledged over US$ 45 million to the World Health Organization (WHO) Investment Round. This historic financial commitment, unveiled during the WHO Regional Committee for Africa, marks a pivotal moment in the…

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September 21, 2026· Child Welfare and Advocacy

Children’s Defense Fund Urges Congress to Pass Bipartisan American Dream and Protection Act Amid Rising Legal Threats to Immigrant Families

AUSTIN, TX — Amid a rapidly shifting legal landscape for immigrant families across the United States, the Children’s Defense Fund and its Texas affiliate are intensifying their calls for immediate federal action. Child advocates and legal experts are urging members of Congress to rally behind the bipartisan American Dream and Promise Act, a piece of…

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September 21, 2026· Child Development

New Research Reveals Link Between Stalled Neurogenesis and Major Depressive Disorder

For decades, the prevailing scientific understanding of clinical depression centered on the "chemical imbalance" theory, specifically the belief that deficiencies in neurotransmitters like serotonin were the primary drivers of the disorder. However, groundbreaking new research from the Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons suggests that the roots of depression are far more complex,…

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September 21, 2026· Pediatric Healthcare

WHO and the Netherlands Strengthen Strategic Alliance to Combat Climate-Driven Health Crises

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Kingdom of the Netherlands have announced a significant renewal of their strategic partnership, signaling a deepened commitment to addressing the accelerating impacts of climate change on global public health. As extreme weather events and shifting environmental patterns increasingly threaten the stability of health systems worldwide, this collaboration serves…

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September 21, 2026· Child Development

Scientists Uncover the Biological "Scar" of Childhood Trauma in the Brain

Severe stress experienced during childhood acts as a silent architect of the human brain, fundamentally altering its blueprint and increasing a person’s lifelong vulnerability to anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders. For decades, clinicians and researchers have observed the correlation between early-life adversity and later mental health struggles, yet the precise biological mechanism behind this…

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September 21, 2026· Pediatric Healthcare

G20 Health Ministers Rally Behind WHO Investment Round to Secure Global Health Future

RIO DE JANEIRO – Health ministers from the G20 nations, gathered in Rio de Janeiro under the leadership of the Brazilian presidency, have issued a strong, unified call to action to bolster the financial foundations of the World Health Organization (WHO). During a high-level meeting focused on the future of international health security, officials emphasized…

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September 21, 2026· Child Welfare and Advocacy

Children’s Defense Fund-California Releases Blueprint Document Highlighting a Decade of Grassroots Advocacy and Youth Empowerment in Long Beach

LONG BEACH, CA — In a milestone moment for regional child advocacy, the Children’s Defense Fund-California (CDF-CA) is releasing a comprehensive new report examining a decade of grassroots organizing, policy victories, and community-driven strategies designed to elevate the well-being of youth and families in Long Beach. The publication, titled “Rooted in Community, Rising Together: A…

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