Children's Health

Illustration: An adult joins hands with a child as they raise themselves up in front of an apple tree.

Survivors and advocates strive to break cycle of domestic abuse for future generations

Emily Woodbury

Rates of adults and children seeking and receiving shelter due to domestic violence are increasing in Missouri and Illinois.

Health, Science & Environment

St. Louis doctors say hospitalizations for childhood respiratory virus on the rise

Sarah Fentem

About 80 children a week are being hospitalized at St. Louis Children's Hospital for RSV-related illnesses, doctors said.

An individual holds a lead pipe, a steel pipe and a lead pipe treated with protective orthophosphate. The Environmental Protection Agency is only now requiring water systems to inventory their lead pipes decades after new ones were banned

Health, Science & Environment

Crumbling infrastructure leaks lead into Midwest water supply

Avery Lea Rogers

Reporter Allison Kite updates "St. Louis On The Air" about an ongoing investigation into the causes and risks of high lead levels in the Midwest.

Ronnie Godby sprays disinfectant on desks and chairs as he and the other school custodians clean a classroom at Richard A. Simpson Elementary School in Arnold on Thursday, Nov. 5, 2020. The school went to fully virtual learning on Monday, Nov. 2 after more than 5% of the staff and students tested positive for COVID-19, they will stay virtual until Monday Nov.16 after ten work days. (Colter Peterson/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via AP)

Health, Science & Environment

What Missouri Learned the Hard Way About Rapid COVID Testing in Schools

Rachana Pradhan

Missouri’s ambitious school testing plan landed with a thud. What it can teach us now about keeping the delta variant out of classrooms.

Only kids 12 and older are eligible — so far — to get vaccinated against COVID-19 in the U.S. But the shots could be available for younger children as soon as this fall, say researchers studying the vaccine in that age group.

Health, Science & Environment

A Shot Against COVID For Kids Under 12 — Your Questions Answered

Will Stone

A COVID-19 vaccine for children younger than 12 is not yet available, but research is well underway and the first shot for some kids in this age group is expected in the fall, doctors say.

Two Australians created Mental Health First Aid in 2001. Since then, millions of people have taken classes in how to help someone in a mental health crisis.

Health, Science & Environment

‘Unprecedented’ Increase In Children Hospitalized For Self-Harm, Pediatrician Says

Emily Woodbury

The pandemic has affected the mental health of many, including children. The number of young people being treated for self-harm in emergency rooms and…

Pediatrician Ken Haller tries to get 3-year-old Azaya Clemons to laugh during a checkup at Danis Pediatrics in Midtown.

Health, Science & Environment

Pediatricians Say Children Need Checkups And Vaccines, Even During COVID-19

Sarah Fentem

Pediatricians are urging families to take their children to the doctor’s office for routine vaccinations, even during the coronavirus pandemic. Parents…

Officials from DCFS, HFS and IlliniCare wait to address a panel of state lawmakers at a House committee hearing on Sept. 10

DCFS Delays Managed Care Rollout After Pressure From Officials

Sam Dunklau

Illinois’ Department of Children and Family Services is delaying a planned health insurance switch for children in its care, but the public guardian of...

The report notes that 80% of children who lost health coverage in Missouri are living below the poverty level.

Kids In Missouri Are Losing Health Insurance At The Second Highest Rate In The Nation

Dan Margolies

In Missouri, children’s enrollment in Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program fell nearly 10% over the last 14 months – the second biggest...