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February 6, 2026
Drs. Vin Gupta and Irwin Redlener spoke to AFT members in January about how nutrition, vaccines, mental health, and the information environment shape children’s well-being today.
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In a healthy society, parents and educators should be able to rely on foundational public health guidance to keep children safe. Accurate information is essential for supporting children—whether that’s learning about healthy lunches; knowing which vaccines help keep teachers, administrators, staff and students safe; or spotting signs of mental health struggles. Yet, finding reliable guidance has become increasingly difficult.
At a recent AFT Vital Lessons webinar, public health leader Dr. Vin Gupta and pediatrician Dr. Irwin Redlener discussed how shifting guidance, misinformation, limited resources and growing stress affect children’s health. They emphasized that children’s well-being does not exist in a vacuum and is shaped by public policy, access to food and healthcare, and the reliability of the information families receive.
When those systems falter, educators, healthcare providers and public employees often find themselves in an unfamiliar role: helping families interpret what’s real, what’s safe and what to trust.
Most families have heard the basics of healthy eating for years: Prioritize whole foods, limit added sugars and avoid ultra-processed snacks when possible. These principles are not new, but it’s become increasingly apparent how difficult they are to follow in practice.
Access matters. Healthy food choices tend to be more expensive, demand additional time and are not readily available in all communities. In many areas, families live in communities referred to as food deserts, where supermarkets or grocery stores with healthy options are sparse, and convenience stores with processed foods are more common. Schools face similar constraints because improving meal quality depends on funding, staffing and supply chains that vary widely by district. Healthcare workers often experience similar barriers during long or overnight shifts, often relying on limited cafeteria options or vending machine foods that make healthy eating difficult on the job.
During the webinar, Drs. Gupta and Redlener emphasized that nutrition guidance that doesn’t acknowledge access may further deepen inequities. Asking families to “do better” without addressing affordability and availability creates frustration—not health.
Few topics generate as much confusion and discourse as pediatric vaccines. While it is important for families to seek clarification and ask questions, Dr. Gupta underscored a critical distinction: Vaccines are not solely an individual health decision; they are a public health one.
High vaccination rates protect entire communities, particularly infants, medically vulnerable children and adults, and those who cannot be vaccinated. When immunization levels drop, communities lose that shared protection, increasing the risk of outbreaks that disrupt learning, strain healthcare systems and endanger lives.
The current vaccine schedule was not created overnight and reflects decades of research, safety monitoring and expert review by public health agencies and pediatric medical organizations. Moving away from established recommendations without clear scientific justification doesn’t just confuse families, it also weakens trust and puts children at risk.
Mental health challenges among children and adolescents are widespread, and they often surface in schools first. Anxiety, depression and trauma can affect attention, behavior and relationships long before a student ever accesses clinical care.
Dr. Redlener offered a clear and practical role definition: Educators are first responders, not therapists. Their role is not to diagnose or treat, but to notice change, respond with care and know when to escalate concerns through appropriate school systems.
Warning signs might include:
Strong systems make it easier for educators to act on these observations through clear reporting pathways, supportive school climates and access to mental health resources. In rare situations where immediate safety is a concern, crisis options such as the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline are available.
The webinar took a somber but necessary turn as the speakers acknowledged the heightened tension following recent federal immigration enforcement actions in Minneapolis, where federal agents shot and killed an ICU nurse, drawing widespread protests and public scrutiny. This moment served as a reminder that children’s health is not only biological. It is emotional, social, and shaped by the broader environment in which children grow and learn.
Dr. Redlener recounted a recent chat with a mother in Kyiv, Ukraine, who, though lacking heat and electricity, worried about events in the United States. This highlighted the significant decline in trust in American public health and its impact on families.
Beyond nutrition and healthcare, children now face threats from a fragmented information environment. Artificial intelligence and social media accelerate the creation and spread of misinformation, making it harder to detect. This demands that children not only use technology, but also learn to verify information before accepting it.
Much of this exposure happens outside school hours, when screens become tools for entertainment or connection. Although technology has benefits, too much unstructured use can raise anxiety, disrupt sleep and expose children to harmful content.
Protective strategies include:
Across every topic discussed by Drs. Gupta and Redlener, the throughline was trust. Children rely on adults to create stable systems around them. When guidance becomes inconsistent or confusing, the consequences show up in classrooms, clinics and homes.
In a divided world, educators, healthcare providers and public servants best support others by offering consistency, clarity, empathy and evidence-based advice families can use.
Children have a remarkable capacity to heal and grow, but they need adults and systems worthy of their trust.
Join Dr. Vin Gupta—pulmonologist, public health expert, and professor—for a yearlong series offering expert-led webinars, blogs, resources, and Q&A sessions on pressing health issues to help AFT members and communities stay informed and healthy. Access all on-demand town halls and register for the next one.
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