Archive for culture
Addressing food insecurity: How Boston Children’s makes food accessible for patients
Food insecurity is more common than you might think, affecting an estimated 21.1% of Massachusetts households with children in 2023. To add to the stress, families of children with dietary restrictions who face food insecurity are frequently left with limited options to find proper nutrition. One of the biggest hurdles when it comes to addressing ... Read More
Breaking down barriers: How interpreters can enhance patient care
Sharing medical concerns with clinicians can be hard for anyone — a challenge that’s amplified in patients when English isn’t their first language. The results are troubling: One recent study by Boston Children’s pediatric hospitalist and researcher Alisa Khan, MD, MPH, found that patients and families who have limited English proficiency are three to five ... Read More
Ways to keep kids engaged and unplugged during the holidays
The winter holiday break is upon us. This means being away from routines and schedules and more time at home, traveling, or visiting loved ones. Bottom line: families will be spending more time together (again). But unlike the will-not-be-named reason for forced family time over the past two years, holiday togetherness centers on celebration and ... Read More
Providing culturally responsive care to refugee and immigrant families
Refugee and immigrant parents and children have unique care needs. They have left their former lives behind, often due to discrimination, poverty, violence, or even ethnic cleansing operations. They may have witnessed or experienced torture or the death of a loved one. Once resettled in the U.S., parents must navigate and adjust to American culture, ... Read More
Preparing your kids for the holidays during COVID-19
Like most things this year, the holiday season will be marked by the coronavirus pandemic. For you and your family, it may feel like one more disappointment at the end of a long, challenging year. So, how do you talk with your kids about the upcoming holidays? And what can you do to celebrate, even ... Read More
Language barriers linked with medical errors in hospitalized children
A new study finds that hospitalized children whose families have limited comfort with English are twice as likely to experience medical errors. The study, which did not include patient data from Boston Children’s Hospital, highlights the need for improving communication between these families and the health care providers they interact with to ensure the safety ... Read More
Help your kids balance screen time and healthy play during COVID-19
Whether your child’s school is fully remote or hybrid this fall, chances are they’ll be spending extensive amounts of time in front of their computers. If, like many parents, you’re working from home, you may be relying more heavily on television and video games to keep your kids entertained. But how does all of this ... Read More
Racism is a health issue: How it affects kids, what parents can do
Racism has once again gained national attention. Following the deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor, people around the world are taking a stand against race-based inequality and violence. But even after it fades from the news cycle, racism will remain present in the lives of children. How children experience racism Racism can ... Read More
How to talk with your teens about racial protests
As protests and outrage over racism and police brutality continues to unfold, many teens are adding their voices to the conversation. If your teen or young adult child is engaging online or in protests, you may be wondering how to talk with them about their interactions and make sure they stay safe, especially in the ... Read More
A letter from our leadership
Over the past few weeks, we have witnessed a series of deeply troubling incidents of racism, hatred, and violence that have created an environment of hostility and fear. Our country, our communities, and our children are hurting. The pain of this moment is a call to all of us to stand up and to speak ... Read More