“PERHAPS the most widespread peril children face isn’t guns, swimming pools or speeding cars. Rather, scientists are suggesting that it may be “toxic stress” early in life, or even before birth.” says New York Times columnist, Nicholas D. Kristof’s, in his article about the American Academy of Pediatrics recently issued “policy statement”. The statement, based on two decades of research, identifies “toxic stress” as a major cause of disabilities that can haunt children for a lifetime.
Kristof presents numerous citations of the harm that is caused by things such as malnutrition in pregnant women and neglect during early infancy, both of which lead to lifelong increased risk of heart disease, diabetes and other physical ailments as well as impaired school performance. He also cites the improvement that can be obtained through relatively inexpensive interventions like the Nurse Family Partnership.

Read this piece at the Times website