A study published in Child Trends assessing child wellbeing finds that 60% of Black children live in neighborhoods that lack amenities associated with healthy development, including sidewalks or walking paths, recreational centers, parks or playgrounds, and libraries or bookmobiles. Of the four large geographical areas studied (the Western, Northeastern, Midwestern, and Southern regions), Black children in the South had the lowest reported access to neighborhood amenities. The study also finds that most Black children in neighborhoods with few amenities are members of families with lower incomes.
The study highlights the positive social, emotional, and physical outcomes associated with access to the four amenities under examination. Those outcomes range from higher rates of physical activity and mental health resilience to better internal self-regulation and improved academic achievement. The study makes the case that cross-sector initiatives should be considered to address children’s well-being in a holistic way. Read an article about the study here.