Early Childhood Education to Promote Health Equity: A Community Guide Systematic Review. Issue 5 (September 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hahn, Robert A.; Barnett, W. Steven; Knopf, John A.; Truman, Benedict I.; Johnson, Robert L.; Fielding, Jonathan E.; Muntaner, Carles; Jones, Camara Phyllis; Fullilove, Mindy T.; Hunt, Pete C.
• Is Part Of: Journal of public health management and practice. Volume 22:Issue 5(2016)
• Publication Date: 2016-09
• Subjects: early childhood education -- health equity -- low income -- racial/ethnic minority -- social determinant; Public health administration -- United States -- Periodicals; 253.6
• DOI: 10.1097/PHH.0000000000000378
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1078-4659

Abstract

Abstract : Context: Children in low-income and racial and ethnic minority families often experience delays in development by 3 years of age and may benefit from center-based early childhood education. Design: A meta-analysis on the effects of early childhood education by Kay and Pennucci best met Community Guide criteria and forms the basis of this review. Results: There were increases in intervention compared with control children in standardized test scores (median = 0.29 SD) and high school graduation (median = 0.20 SD) and decreases in grade retention (median = 0.23 SD) and special education assignment (median = 0.28 SD). There were decreases in crime (median = 0.23 SD) and teen births (median = 0.46 SD) and increases in emotional self-regulation (median = 0.21 SD) and emotional development (median = 0.04 SD). All effects were favorable, but not all were statistically significant. Effects were also long-lasting. Conclusions: Because many programs are designed to increase enrollment for high-risk students and communities, they are likely to advance health equity. Abstract : This review investigates the potential of center-based early childhood education to foster the larger public health goal of health equity, with a focus on low-income and racial and ethnic minority populations in the United States.