Children & Families

Depression in fathers can hinder the development of healthy bonds between parent and child and lead to neglect. One L.A. pilot program is trying to prevent that.

Why does Indiana have so many cases of child abuse and neglect? Only six states had more in 2016, and they all had much higher populations.

As more states consider legalizing marijuana, California's First 5 agencies are on the forefront of educating the public about the impacts during pregnancy and in homes with young children.

Molly is one of the recipients of the 2018 Impact Fund, a program of USC Annenberg's Center for Health Journalism. 

The Courier Journal has received support from the University of Southern California's Center for Health Journalism to embark on a project about food insecurity in Louisville, with the goal of presenting solutions that fit our community.

"What I heard, over and over again, were stories of physical violence in juvenile residential programs."

A new reporting project will examine child abuse deaths and near-deaths over a five-year span to gain a better understanding of how poverty contributes to child abuse across Alabama.

Taxes on recreational marijuana "won't be a panacea," one First 5 official said, but advocates still hope they'll be directed toward early intervention and education.

"I am often asked why public health should care about the role of the court and who sits on it. The answer is simple: Court rulings can support or overturn policies that dramatically affect the public’s health."

Scott Thomas Anderson wrote this story while participating in the USC Annenberg Center for Health Journalism 2018 California Fellowship.