By Christine Sun
According to the US Census Bureau in 2022, North Carolina is home to over 2,500,000 children 19 and below and as one of the more desirable states to live in, the number is bound to shoot higher. However, with this also comes growing numbers of underprivileged kids with a 2022 survey done by the US Census showing that over 400,000 or 17% of N.C. children under the age of 18 lived below the federal poverty line. (“North Carolina - Census Bureau Profile”) This statistic highlights a significant challenge facing North Carolina as it grows. Poverty affects one's mental and physical health, especially those of a young kid with studies showing kids living in poverty are especially vulnerable to mental illness, reduced academic success, and the hindrance of healthy brain development (Engle and Black). Therefore, we need to pay more attention to these disparities to ensure that every child in North Carolina has the opportunity to thrive. This can be done by finding and committing to charities and programs in your community dedicated to donating and volunteering.
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