By Rajni Dronamraju and Debbie I. Chang, San Francisco Chronicle, February 9, 2021
Almost everyone, to some extent, has suffered from the isolation, uncertainty, or emotional and economic effects of the pandemic. But for some kids and families — particularly those who are low-income and part of communities of color — the scars of the pandemic threaten to last a lifetime.
In the short term, the Bay Area’s most vulnerable children are at greater risk for exposure to domestic violence, substance use and mental health challenges as their families try to cope with the added stresses of COVID-19. For some kids and families, sheltering in place means being trapped with an abuser, with less access to help. And during times of lockdown, children often can’t rely on other adults — child-care providers, teachers or even primary health care practitioners — to offer support and intervention.
In the long-term, unless we act swiftly and with coordinated efforts, we are facing a massive public health crisis as these children and families suffer potentially lasting mental and physical effects of stress and adversity. Research has shown that prolonged exposure to stress and trauma such as neglect, violence and racism can harm children’s developing brains and bodies. The constant wear and tear of stress hormones can lead to higher rates of illnesses later in life, like cancer, stroke, heart disease and Alzheimer’s. People who have had four or more adverse childhood experiences, such as exposure to violence or abuse, have more than double the risk of heart disease and stroke and triple the risk of lung disease as others. We also know that exposure to domestic violence in childhood increases the risk of experiencing or perpetrating domestic violence as an adult.
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