About The Project
Public health indicators among District children have for some time been among the worst in the nation, including high levels of asthma, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, HIV/AIDS and mental illness. This crisis persists despite high levels of insurance coverage and funding, and a deep, long-standing commitment among public and private groups to addressing these issues. DC Appleseed, in partnership with Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher, and Flom, are working together on three initiatives designed to help improve children's health: first, we are working with the Department of Health, DC Public Schools, Children's National Medical Center and others to identify strategies that can be used to maximize the opportunities available in the school setting to improve children's health, including the rules and regulations that govern school nurse and school-based clinic services; second, we are looking for ways to better align Medicaid with the District's goals of optimizing use of primary care among children; and third, we are investigating the opportunities for a place-based, comprehensive support system for children in the District's poorest neighborhoods.
