PolicyLab at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
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PolicyLab at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
@policylabchop.bsky.social
Center of emphasis within CHOP’s Research Institute informing children’s health policy & practice with quality research

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On Public Health Thank You Day, we're sending out a huge THANK YOU to all the public health heroes who work every day to keep Pennsylvanians and folks across the country healthy.

#PHTYD #PublicHealthHeroes
November 24, 2025 at 5:18 PM
📰 FRIDAY READING
Expert Perspectives on Health Needs of Adolescents and Young Adults in This Moment
policylab.chop.edu/blog/expert-...
Expert Perspectives on Health Needs of Adolescents and Young Adults in This Moment
Adolescents experience rapid physical, mental and emotional growth. As a result, their health needs evolve along with their engagement with the health care system. Young adults, too, are often…
policylab.chop.edu
November 21, 2025 at 2:00 PM
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
November 20, 2025 at 5:02 PM
“If [teens] fall through the cracks … we leave them vulnerable."

We asked our experts what policymakers and researchers should know about the health challenges adolescents face today.

Read how PolicyLab researchers are responding on the blog: policylab.chop.edu/blog/expert-...
Expert Perspectives on Health Needs of Adolescents and Young Adults in This Moment
Adolescents experience rapid physical, mental and emotional growth. As a result, their health needs evolve along with their engagement with the health care system. Young adults, too, are often…
policylab.chop.edu
November 19, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Reposted by PolicyLab at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Excited to share our qualitative analysis on unconditional cash transfers in the NICU! Cash transfers provided caregivers a sense of relief in the financial/mental stress.

Thankful for an amazing team and support (@policylabchop.bsky.social).

Learn more: www.academicpedsjnl.net/article/S187...
Unconditional Cash Transfers for Medicaid Eligible Parents of Preterm Infants: A Qualitative Study within a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial
Emerging evidence has demonstrated mixed results regarding the ability of unconditional cash transfers to intervene on the pathway between poverty and adverse term infant outcomes. Parents of preterm ...
www.academicpedsjnl.net
November 11, 2025 at 4:40 PM
📰 FRIDAY READING
Cash Transfers and Healthy Birth Outcomes: Promising New Evidence and What’s Next
policylab.chop.edu/blog/cash-tr...
Cash Transfers and Healthy Birth Outcomes: Promising New Evidence and What’s Next
Our new PolicyLab research finds eCTC payments to be associated with small improvements in birth outcomes, particularly among low-income and Medicaid-insured families.
policylab.chop.edu
November 7, 2025 at 2:12 PM
👏 Kudos to PolicyLab researcher Dr. Senbagam Virudachalam for her impactful testimony at City Hall yesterday on the importance of #SNAP for PA kids and families.
November 6, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Half of all STIs occur in young people, yet access to sexual & reproductive health care is becoming harder to navigate.

Our experts outline how we can strengthen systems to support youth well-being.
🔗 policylab.chop.edu/blog/what-ch...
What Changes in Access to Sexual Health Care Could Mean for Teens
Access to sexual and reproductive health care is critical— especially in the current environment where sexually transmitted infection (STIs) rates have reached epidemic levels and unintended…
policylab.chop.edu
November 6, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Right now, most mental health services are only covered after a diagnosis.

But some states are changing that and making it easier for kids to get care early, before problems grow.

Learn more in our latest blog post ⤵️ policylab.chop.edu/blog/game-ch...
A Game-changer for Kids’ Behavioral Health: Removing the Diagnosis Requirement
Youth in Pennsylvania—and across the country—are experiencing an unprecedented behavioral health crisis and facing substantial challenges accessing necessary supports. Nearly a quarter of…
policylab.chop.edu
November 5, 2025 at 4:30 PM
💡 New Research: Cash Transfers and Healthier Births

PolicyLab findings show modest, unconditional support in pregnancy can improve birth outcomes.

Building on this research can help ensure all kids get a healthier start.

Read more on our blog⤵️
Cash Transfers and Healthy Birth Outcomes: Promising New Evidence and What’s Next
During the COVID-19 public health emergency in 2021, the federal government expanded the Child Tax Credit, increasing families’ access to financial resources at a time of national economic stress.…
policylab.chop.edu
November 5, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Our partners at CHOP’s Vaccine Education Center are cutting through the noise this season with 4 timely resources to help families make informed vaccination decisions.

See the roundup on our blog ⤵️
policylab.chop.edu/blog/chops-v...
CHOP’s Vaccine Education Center Elevates Science-backed Recommendations in 200 Words
Editor’s note: In this post, we round up just a few of the many timely resources our partners at the Vaccine Education Center have produced to help guide informed decision making. As we head into…
policylab.chop.edu
November 4, 2025 at 8:05 PM
📰 FRIDAY READING
CHOP’s Vaccine Education Center Elevates Science-backed Recommendations in 200 Words
policylab.chop.edu/blog/chops-v...
CHOP’s Vaccine Education Center Elevates Science-backed Recommendations in 200 Words
Editor’s note: In this post, we round up just a few of the many timely resources our partners at the Vaccine Education Center have produced to help guide informed decision making. As we head into…
policylab.chop.edu
October 31, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Our partners CHOP’s Vaccine Education Center are cutting through the noise this season with 4 timely resources to help families make informed vaccination decisions.

See the roundup on our blog ⤵️
policylab.chop.edu/blog/chops-v...
CHOP’s Vaccine Education Center Elevates Science-backed Recommendations in 200 Words
Editor’s note: In this post, we round up just a few of the many timely resources our partners at the Vaccine Education Center have produced to help guide informed decision making. As we head into…
policylab.chop.edu
October 29, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Reposted by PolicyLab at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Most children who need mental health care have difficulty, or are unable to, obtain it. 3 of 5 youth who die by suicide do not have a documented mental health diagnosis.

We wrote about how pioneering Medicaid programs are paying for services for kids who do not have a mental health diagnosis.
October 24, 2025 at 2:36 PM
📰 FRIDAY READING
A Game-changer for Kids’ Behavioral Health: Removing the Diagnosis Requirement
policylab.chop.edu/blog/game-ch...
A Game-changer for Kids’ Behavioral Health: Removing the Diagnosis Requirement
Youth in Pennsylvania—and across the country—are experiencing an unprecedented behavioral health crisis and facing substantial challenges accessing necessary supports. Nearly a quarter of…
policylab.chop.edu
October 24, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Reposted by PolicyLab at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
During the pandemic, the expanded Child Tax Credit helped families meet basic needs like food and housing. New @policylabchop.bsky.social research links receiving the eCTC during pregnancy to small improvements in birth outcomes. Learn more: https://bit.ly/48CnBRo
Cash Transfers and Healthy Birth Outcomes
New study finds extended child tax credit payments are associated with small improvements in birth outcomes, particularly among low-income families.
ldi.upenn.edu
October 23, 2025 at 4:06 PM
As we head into respiratory illness season, we're rounding up some timely resources our partners at the Vaccine Education Center have produced to help guide informed decision making.

Find them here ⤵️
policylab.chop.edu/blog/chops-v...
CHOP’s Vaccine Education Center Elevates Science-backed Recommendations in 200 Words
Editor’s note: In this post, we round up just a few of the many timely resources our partners at the Vaccine Education Center have produced to help guide informed decision making. As we head into…
policylab.chop.edu
October 23, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Children and families often need mental health support before a formal diagnosis is made.

In a new blog post, our experts discuss how states are making it easier to provide and pay for preventive mental health care through Medicaid and CHIP. policylab.chop.edu/blog/game-ch...
A Game-changer for Kids’ Behavioral Health: Removing the Diagnosis Requirement
Youth in Pennsylvania—and across the country—are experiencing an unprecedented behavioral health crisis and facing substantial challenges accessing necessary supports. Nearly a quarter of…
policylab.chop.edu
October 22, 2025 at 11:03 AM
Right now, most mental health services are only covered after a diagnosis.

But some states are changing that and making it easier for kids to get care early, before problems grow.

Learn more in our latest blog post ⤵️ policylab.chop.edu/blog/game-ch...
A Game-changer for Kids’ Behavioral Health: Removing the Diagnosis Requirement
Youth in Pennsylvania—and across the country—are experiencing an unprecedented behavioral health crisis and facing substantial challenges accessing necessary supports. Nearly a quarter of…
policylab.chop.edu
October 20, 2025 at 4:15 PM
📰 FRIDAY READING
Cash Transfers and Healthy Birth Outcomes: Promising New Evidence and What’s Next
policylab.chop.edu/blog/cash-tr...
Cash Transfers and Healthy Birth Outcomes: Promising New Evidence and What’s Next
During the COVID-19 public health emergency in 2021, the federal government expanded the Child Tax Credit, increasing families’ access to financial resources at a time of national economic stress.…
policylab.chop.edu
October 17, 2025 at 1:04 PM
Reposted by PolicyLab at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
As a psychologist in primary care, I’d rather help families address difficulties early in problem development. Right now, that’s challenging because I need to make a diagnosis for insurance to cover the service. Read our blog to learn about how some states are changing that & supporting prevention.
October 16, 2025 at 10:52 PM
Behavioral health services are typically reimbursed only after a diagnosis. This makes it harder for providers to deliver preventive care when early concerns arise.

We dig into how states are addressing this gap through their Medicaid and CHIP programs. policylab.chop.edu/blog/game-ch...
A Game-changer for Kids’ Behavioral Health: Removing the Diagnosis Requirement
Youth in Pennsylvania—and across the country—are experiencing an unprecedented behavioral health crisis and facing substantial challenges accessing necessary supports. Nearly a quarter of…
policylab.chop.edu
October 15, 2025 at 5:08 PM
💡 New Research: Cash Transfers and Healthier Births

New PolicyLab findings: modest, unconditional support in pregnancy can improve birth outcomes.

Building on this research can help ensure all kids get a healthier start.

Read more on our blog:
Cash Transfers and Healthy Birth Outcomes: Promising New Evidence and What’s Next
During the COVID-19 public health emergency in 2021, the federal government expanded the Child Tax Credit, increasing families’ access to financial resources at a time of national economic stress.…
policylab.chop.edu
October 14, 2025 at 4:02 PM