Child Development and Public Health

Child Development and Public Health

I think in most cases, public health measures that impact children's development all over the world is the mental health of mothers, fathers, and the widespread of families also. “Children of chronically depressed mothers do not perform as well on thinking and intelligence tests at 18 months of age and this is especially true for boy babies’ speech development” (World Health Organization, 2011). Young children are influenced by the society in which they live in also, a child’ emotion, social, health and physical development are impacted and effected by their social environment. But, we have to continue being an advocate and support them for the well-being of their growth and development at an early age.

According to research, “maternal mental health problems pose a huge human, social and economic burden to women, their infants, their families, and society and constitute a major public health challenge”( World Health Organization, 2011). Research also states that “mental health problems such as depression and anxiety are very common during pregnancy and after childbirth in all parts of the world. “One in three to one in five women in developing countries, and about one in ten in developed countries, have a significant mental health problem during pregnancy and after childbirth” (World Health Organization, 2008). Another “key finding was that men who don’t have access to flexible working hours and family-friendly leave, and have low job security and little control over their workload, are five times more likely to report psychological distress” (fathers, 2012). Therefore, I believe mental depressions and anxiety disorders are a common illness that can happen at any time after birth throughout life all over the world. Some people have mental challenges, but the sign and symptoms are ignored because lack of in-come and medical insurance.

Mental health issues can cause many problems to people of all cultures; this is a serious health concern that may be due to low birth rate, malnutrition, breast-feeding and many other health problems. “Infants of chronically depressed mothers show less sociability with strangers, fewer facial expressions, smile less, cry more, and are more irritable than infants of normal mothers”. (World Health Organization, 2011). And also, “children of depressed mothers are also more distractible, less playful and less social up to age 5” (World Health Organization, 2011). Research have shown that many mental health issues come from lack of care; meaning everyone should come together as a whole to improve the lives of young children and their families. In my future work, I hope to support parents and children of all cultures in finding affordable organizations, and mental health services to provide the necessary treatment that are available to them. “Ensuring they have access to information and support to promote their well-being is very important” (Fathers, 2012).

References

(2012). Recent and Future Research on Fathers and Families ...mcclellandinstitute.arizona.edu/.../recent-and-future-research-f...Cached

World Health Organization. (2008). Improving Maternal Mental Health. Retrieved from World Health Organization: http://www.who.int/mental_health/prevention/suicide/Perinatal_depression_mmh_final.pdf

World Health Organization. (2011). Maternal Mental Health & Child Health and Development. Retrieved from Maternal Mental: http://www.who.int/mental_health/prevention/suicide/MaternalMH/en/index.html