WASH United’s Post

🌟 UPDATE: KNOW YOUR PERIOD Campaign Still Running Strong! 🩸 I wanted to give you a quick update on the KNOW YOUR PERIOD campaign, and I'm thrilled to share that we're still going strong, thanks to YOUR incredible support and advocacy! 💌 THANK YOU: First and foremost, a massive shoutout to everyone who took the time to call Assemblymember Wilson's office and advocate for menstrual education in California schools. Your voices are making a difference, and we are immensely grateful for your dedication to this important cause. 🚨 UPDATE: While the bill idea has been submitted, we've encountered a hurdle – it was sent in as UNBACKED language. But fear not, because your support is more crucial than ever! We need to show that there's a groundswell of backing for menstrual education in schools. 📢 ACTION NEEDED: We still need YOUR support! Please take a moment to sign our new petition, and don't forget to share it with your network. Every signature counts, and your collective efforts can make a significant impact. 👉 Petition Link: bit.ly/knowyourperiodca 🤝 Calling All Schools and Organizations: If you represent a school or community organization that supports KNOW YOUR PERIOD, we invite you to sign on and join forces with us. Your endorsement is crucial in demonstrating the widespread backing for menstrual education. 👉 Sign-On Link: https://lnkd.in/gMH5cyHz Let's keep the momentum going and ensure that every student has access to comprehensive menstrual education. Together, we can change the status quo. Stay Updated through our Instagram! 👉 Link to Update Post: https://lnkd.in/gJTMTG8Q Thank you for being part of the KNOW YOUR PERIOD movement! 💪🩸

When I find the time I need to address problems in #pediatrics #medicaleducation. Recently, for my MOC (Maintenance of Certification) module, the “right” answer to a teen missing two days of school a month was essentially “normal teen period stuff” and #endometriosis was not even an option. Dear God. Looking back I was having endometriosis symptoms at age 14. American Board of Pediatrics (ABP) and American Academy of Pediatrics I’m looking at you. When will endometriosis, which affects at least 10% of girls and women and menstruators get even a fraction of the space given to trans care, child abuse, or inborn errors of metabolism? It is a form of (unintentional) abuse to let girls and women suffer for decades, lose school days, lose jobs, lose fertility, lose organs, lose relationships, lose #mentalhealth. This *is* a pediatric issue, not just a #gynecology one. Why is a pediatrician doing #FemTech and #pelvichealth? First, I am a patient. Second, you have to start somewhere, and people are (somewhat) listening to women on endometriosis. Also, employers care about our productivity. As a former Chief Medical Officer, I know you have to start where there is a business case. Then, we can then be inclusive of teens and school health too. We need to stop the miseducation of pediatricians. Colleen Kraft James Perrin Sophia Yen, MD, MPH Linda Griffith Jane van Dis, MD

“If you don’t know what a disease is, how do you know if you may have it? If more women are aware of the potential problems they may have from a young age, then I think that will actually go a long way to relieving some of the suffering that occurs with this terrible disease.” An important read! 👇 #endometriosisawareness #womenshealthmatters #womenshealth

First Nations women face almost twice the risk of stillbirth or “sorry business babies” compared to non-First Nations women in Australia. Researchers from the Mater Research based Stillbirth CRE describe how much of this inequity can be linked to the ongoing impact of colonisation on First Nations women and birthing. Here's how: ⚫ Ongoing intergenerational trauma ⚫ Maternity services aren’t designed for First Nations women ⚫ Resources aren’t designed for First Nations women ⚫ Racism and discrimination in maternity services ⚫ Providers don’t understand First Nations health. By developing culturally adapted resources and providing education and training, the Stillbirth CRE is working to help eliminate racial disparities in stillbirth rates in Australia. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gtW22h_9 This article was authored by: Deanna Stuart-Butler, Dr Aleena Wojcieszek, Sarah Graham, Valerie Ah Chee and Prof Vicki Flenady AM.

The Early Childhood Scientific Council on Equity and the Environment published a paper that explores how extreme heat can affect young children’s biological systems and disrupt development, as well as the many ways it can amplify the effects of systemic inequities. Working paper: https://lnkd.in/duaB3jeU Attached is the guide for policy based on this paper. #heat #childrights #righttohealth #environment #childdevelopment #inequities

Child-led goal setting. A fresh research study across 9 countries from Aisling Ryan et al. We need more "child-specific tools are needed to support children to share their perspectives." "...common topics emerged from the results regarding the value of visuals, structure, scaffolding, and assistive technology in supporting all children, especially those with significant disabilities and delays...need for flexible, child-specific, and technology-based approaches and tools to enable children to have more autonomy in goal setting and evaluation."

⌛ The time to close the #equity gap is now ⌛ In their latest paper, the #ChangingChildrensChances⛅ team look beyond the silver bullet for the path to close the equity gap for children within a generation 🌱 https://bit.ly/40Ndi8W   Drawing on the critical thinking of multidisciplinary leaders across economics, health, education, social care, legislation and policy, the team converges on the ‘thinking and doing’ that can and should inform the early years policy and research agenda for Australia. Their new perspective piece advocates for “#stacking” targeted, policy-relevant strategies in the early years, across multiple portfolios and layers of government.   This paper has been featured in the Medical Journal of Australia’s latest issue focused on child and adolescent health and wellbeing.   Beyond the silver bullet was developed for the Changing Children's Chances Investigator Group by Prof Sharon Goldfeld AM, Dr Elodie O'Connor, Dr Cindy Pham, PhD and Dr Sarah Gray. To read the full paper, head to 📄https://bit.ly/40Ndi8W   With the right resources and data, plus strong community and political will, we could transform outcomes for today’s children. Let’s invest in our future by investing in our children 🌱   Changing Children’s Chances focuses on the need for #PrecisionPolicy to address the growing #inequity Australian children face. Read more about #ChangingChildrensChances 🌤 https://bit.ly/3Z549r9   #ChildHealthEquity #EarlyChildhoodEducation #ChildDevelopment #mentalhealth RMIT Social Equity Research Centre Dr Meredith O'Connor Katrina Williams Sue Woolfenden Hannah Badland Naomi Priest Gerry Redmond

This event delved into the impact of non-inclusive research on Equity-deserving communities, highlighted practical aspects of inclusive research & community engagement, and examined the intersectionality of childhood disability and racial identity/ethnicity in Canada. Dr. Bukola Salami, RN, PhD launched our event by emphasizing EDI & an intersectional lens in child health research. Canada's wealth contrasts with child poverty and environmental neglect, prompting the need for inclusive research, community engagement, and an EDI Action Plan. The next session on inclusive research & community engagement from the POPCORN network discussed the importance of commitments to EDI & anti-racism, challenges in health equity training for academics, and the importance of co-designing studies with communities. In the final session, we explored vital aspects including team diversity, respectful engagement, and the impact of intersectionality on child health outcomes. The takeaways were valuable EDI principles, practical tips, and resources for advancing child health equity through research. Don't miss our final session in our series on March 28: Evidence-informed Policy: Advancing health equity for all children. Register now to be part of the discussion: https://bit.ly/48XVSYR #ChildHealthEquity Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital Paula Robeson Alberta Children's Hospital University of Calgary IWK Health One Child Every Child

Early childhood development (ECD) is a key driver of global development: investments in ECD are recognized as one of the most cost-effective strategies to promote inclusive economic growth, expand equal opportunities and eradicate extreme poverty. However, many countries still lack data on both the status and determinants of ECD that are needed to measure progress. UNICEF recently released a publication to guide the collection of reliable, internationally comparable data on key ECD indicators through household surveys. Information on the indicators is to select as well as guidance for the collection, analysis, monitoring and reporting on at national and global levels. #ECD #childhood #SDGs #humanitarianaid https://lnkd.in/dii2rrg3

Physical development is a prime area of learning in the early years framework- yet many educators do not prioritise this area of learning. Why? These are the responses I hear from early years educators: - the perception that children are inherently active - this area of development will happen naturally - little to no accountability - the other prime areas are more important - lack of understanding of this area of learning - pressures from SLT to push more academic learning There needs to be a systematic change to embed movement and physical activity in early childhood provision. Families, educators and all stakeholders share a responsibility to prioritise physical activity and movement play. Until then what can educators do? 🤸🏿 recalibrate your learning space.. reduce chairs, allow for more movement 🤸🏿reduce sedentary learning 🤸🏿spend more time outdoors 🤸🏿offer a variety of large movement stimuli, trikes, bikes, scooters, climbing frames, swings, monkey bars 🤸🏿 introduce movement games ; What’s the time Mr Wolf? 🤸🏿research and understand the importance of physical activity and the milestones associated with physical development 🤸🏿share this information with families The three prime areas of learning are pillars in supporting early years education.. they all hold equal worth and are intertwined. Ensure they are given the same value and priority The chief medical officer’s recommendations for early years physical activity were released in 2011… nearly 15 years ago! Yet over 3/4 of those I teach in the UK are still unaware of these recommendations; UNDER 5’s should have access to a MINIMUM OF 3 hours (180 minutes) of PHYSICAL ACTIVITY every day! Let’s start prioritising children’s movement and physical activity. Dr. Lala Manners ISPAH - The International Society for Physical Activity and Health Natalie Weir Josh Candy Anna Daley Dr. Kristy Howells Janine Coates Dr Sue Allingham Ruth Swailes Dorothy Marlen Gill Connell Phil Minns Wendy Ratcliff Clare Stead - Baby Brain Building 🧠 Aspire Active Education Group Ltd Bryn Llewellyn Anne O'Connor Linda Baston-Pitt Silvia Costa Lawrence Foweather Eugene Minogue World Health Organization Chris Wright 💪🤸🏿💪🤸🏿💪🤸🏿💪🤸🏿💪🤸🏿💪