The transition from pediatric to adult care for adolescents with sickle cell disease is marked by increased disease complexity.

Dr. Tanisha Belton and colleagues evaluated the effectiveness of a mobile health app in supporting this transition.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...

Seen Safely: Protecting Adolescent Health Information in a Shifting Data Landscape Editor's Note: This post is part of our Blind Spots series, exploring how current and potential future policy changes will affect children, families, and communities, and what can be done to mitigate…

Teens’ privacy doesn’t end in the exam room.

Portals and billing systems can make teens' conversations with their clinicians visible to parents.

On our blog, Dr. Scott Jelinek & Jenine Pilla reflect on how this impacts care & how systems can do better ⬇️
policylab.chop.edu/blog/seen-sa...

Adolescent Health in 2026: Where We Are, What We're Watching Adolescence is an exciting time of life—and one of rapid physical, mental and developmental change. And health and well-being in this period has a lasting impact into adulthood. This time last year,…

Many policy changes don’t target children but they still shape young people’s access to care.

We're launching a new series focused on these "blind spots."

Radha Pennotti shares 4 priorities related to adolescent health we're watching and where we'll be diving in.
youtube.com/shorts/Hdvpo...

Black Mothers' Perspectives on Early Autism Screening: A Lesson in Patient Preferences and Provider Trust A new paper explores the perspectives of Black mothers on the early screening process and preferences in provider communications and interactions regarding autism screening in primary care.…

📰 FRIDAY READING
Black Mothers' Perspectives on Early Autism Screening: A Lesson in Patient Preferences and Provider Trust
clinicalfutures.research.chop.edu/black-mother...

NEW Research in Pediatrics

Dr. Danielle Cullen and Rachel Brown studied how screening for social risk impacts caregivers desire for and use of social resources like food, housing or transportation.

Read the full study ⬇️ doi.org/10.1542/peds...

Bridging the Gap: How Neighborhood Opportunity Shapes Follow-Up Care for Adolescents After a Mental Health Crisis When I meet adolescents in the emergency department (ED) who are struggling with depression or suicidal thoughts, one of my biggest worries after ensuring their immediate safety is what comes next.…

📰 FRIDAY READING
Bridging the Gap: How Neighborhood Opportunity Shapes Follow-Up Care for Adolescents After a Mental Health Crisis
policylab.chop.edu/blog/bridgin...

How Parents Can Prepare for Medicaid Changes In the Philadelphia Inquirer, LDI Fellows outline the timeline for upcoming Medicaid changes and how parents can prepare.

How can Pennsylvania families prepare for upcoming changes to the #Medicaid program?

LDI Fellows @bsalazarmd.bsky.social and Diana Montoya-Williams lay out key dates and steps in the Philadelphia @inquirer.com

ldi.upenn.edu/our-work/res...

Exploring Social Media Conversations on Firearm Violence & Health. A Q&A With Dr. Vivek Ashok In a new study, PolicyLab Faculty Scholar Dr. Vivek Ashok and his team looked at how Pennsylvania state policymakers discussed firearm violence on social media. They examined how that messaging…

Policymakers’ social media posts on firearm violence often use criminal justice frames, not public health ones.

Dr. Vivek Ashok’s new work highlights opportunities to shape more prevention-focused policy communication.

Learn more: policylab.chop.edu/blog/explori...

Economic Security in Early Childhood as an Engine for Intergenerational Mobility Image With turmoil in federal policy and cuts to federal programs, it has never been more important to consider what action Pennsylvania, and other states, can take to support economic security for…

📰 FRIDAY READING
Economic Security in Early Childhood as an Engine for Intergenerational Mobility
policylab.chop.edu/blog/economi...

Consideration of Children in Naloxone Coprescribing Laws This Viewpoint advocates for more careful consideration of families and children in policymaking surrounding naloxone coprescribing or accessibility.

🔗 Dr. Chaiyachati and colleagues wrote about children's need for coprescription in JAMA Pediatrics ⬇️
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...

Coprescribing or offering #naloxone with opioid prescriptions is linked to fewer overdose deaths—but children & families are often overlooked in these policies. #NDAFW

Economic Security in Early Childhood as an Engine for Intergenerational Mobility Image With turmoil in federal policy and cuts to federal programs, it has never been more important to consider what action Pennsylvania, and other states, can take to support economic security for…

It has never been more important to consider what states can do to support economic security for children and families.

Learn about our new project, led by Maternity Care Coalition, to drive state-level policy conversations to help all PA families thrive.
policylab.chop.edu/blog/economi...

In a new Research Letter in @jamapediatrics.com, a team of researchers from #ClinicalFutures & @policylabchop.bsky.social at @childrensphila.bsky.social aimed to determine the percentage of missed opportunities for human papillomavirus (#HPV) vaccination among adolescents. https://bit.ly/4bKFWg2

Exploring Social Media Conversations on Firearm Violence & Health. A Q&A With Dr. Vivek Ashok In a new study, PolicyLab Faculty Scholar Dr. Vivek Ashok and his team looked at how Pennsylvania state policymakers discussed firearm violence on social media. They examined how that messaging…

New research from PolicyLab Faculty Scholar Dr. Vivek Ashok analyzed how PA legislators talked about firearm violence online.

Conversations focused on mass shootings but rarely reflected the true health impacts of gun violence.

Hear more from Dr. Ashok: policylab.chop.edu/blog/explori...

Exploring Social Media Conversations on Firearm Violence & Health. A Q&A With Dr. Vivek Ashok In a new study, PolicyLab Faculty Scholar Dr. Vivek Ashok and his team looked at how Pennsylvania state policymakers discussed firearm violence on social media. They examined how that messaging…

📰 FRIDAY READING
Exploring Social Media Conversations on Firearm Violence & Health. A Q&A With Dr. Vivek Ashok
policylab.chop.edu/blog/explori...

Why Medicaid Is Important for Kids With Disabilities Understanding the ways Medicaid coverage supports children with intellectual and developmental disabilities, as well as on their families and communities, is critical as the program faces funding…

As we recognize #DDAM2026, Dr. Kate Wallis helps us understand just how critical #Medicaid coverage is in supporting children with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Access our full report here: policylab.chop.edu/evidence-act...

Economic Security Polices That Support Families Generate Positive Impacts | Spotlight on Poverty As safety net programs that support families continue to be a topic of fierce debate in Congress, a recent report by PolicyLab at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), produced in partnership…

A deep dive from Spotlight on Poverty with policy analyst Emma Golub on our latest report uplifting evidence behind economic security policies that state policymakers can leverage to support pregnant people, young children and families ⤵️

spotlightonpoverty.org/spotlight-ex...

Dive in to the open access research in Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy. link.springer.com/article/10.1...

What Prevents Pregnant, Postpartum People with Opioid Disorder from Accessing Care? CHOP research showed how substance use disorder care for pregnant and postpartum people is distinctly different from care provided to other populations.

What prevents pregnant, postpartum people with opioid use disorder from accessing care?

From interviews with interest-holders from across PA, PolicyLab researchers developed narratives that merged themes through the lens of four separate perspectives.
www.research.chop.edu/cornerstone-...

Turning the Page: How Shared Reading and Pediatric Partnerships Can Strengthen Early Literacy and Child Well-Being According to the 2024 Nation’s Report Card, one in three students in Pennsylvania—and even fewer in Philadelphia and among marginalized communities—can read proficiently by fourth grade.…

📰 FRIDAY READING
Turning the Page: How Shared Reading and Pediatric Partnerships Can Strengthen Early Literacy and Child Well-Being #NationalReadingMonth
policylab.chop.edu/blog/turning...

Nearly a decade after Philadelphia enacted its soda tax, debate continues.

Our 2022 Research at a Glance report found Philly's beverage tax was tied to reduced teen soda consumption, a behavior linked to chronic disease. #NationalNutritionMonth

Read ⬇️ policylab.chop.edu/sites/defaul...

Applications are open for the 2026 Short Course on Multilingual Approaches to Research Studies!

📆 June 1-3
📍 Philadelphia
💰 Scholarships are available

Learn more and apply ⤵️
redcap.link/apply_2026MARS

Kudos to PolicyLab researcher Diana Montoya-Williams and director Meredith Matone for sharing expert testimonies on maternal and child health during Philadelphia City Council's hearing examining the city's reproductive health care landscape.

Thank you @ninaahmadphl.bsky.social for the opportunity.

What to Do if Your Child Engages in Online Gaming Bullying Online gaming can teach teamwork—but it can also expose kids to conflict. Here’s how to guide your child if they become the aggressor.

📰 FRIDAY READING
What to Do if Your Child Engages in Online Gaming Bullying
www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/keep...

Research Roundup: Evidence for Better Eating Disorder Care for Teens Recognizing Eating Disorder Awareness Week

PolicyLab is now on Substack!

Subscribe to our existing newsletter—The Check-Up—and find additional content, like this roundup of our work focused on eating disorder screening and treatment in recognition of #EatingDisorderAwarenessWeek.

open.substack.com/pub/policyla...

Advancing Intergenerational Mobility Through Early Childhood Economic Security: Examining the Evidence State lawmakers have the opportunity to shape children's health and well-being by expanding or enacting policies that promote families' economic security. These policies can have a particularly…

Find our full report here: policylab.chop.edu/evidence-act...

Today in @publicnewsservice.bsky.social, Rebecka Rosenquist shares how our latest report can help lawmakers understand how early investments in families can change a child’s life trajectory.
app.publicnewsservice.org/story/report...

The Pew Charitable Trusts Awards $1 Million Grant to PolicyLab at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia CHOP announced a $1 million grant from The Pew Charitable Trusts (Pew) to support PolicyLab, a Center of Emphasis within the CHOP Research Institute. The award will enable PolicyLab to continue its…

Our sincere gratitude to @pewtrusts.org for their partnership and long-standing support.

Black Teenage Male and Caregiver Perspectives on Anticipatory Guidance for Police Encounters 10.1542/6386292602112Video AbstractPEDS-VA_2024-0695996386292602112OBJECTIVE. Black families often address police interaction safety with a conversation known as “The Talk.” Previous academic…

NEW: How can pediatricians support Black teens and parents in navigating police encounters?

PolicyLab researchers found Black families are open to these conversations and shared ideas for how doctors can help.

Read the Pediatrics study: