Early Childhood and Family Development Programs Improve the Quality of Life for Low-Income Families

GAO reviewed the results and costs of federally funded early childhood development programs for low-income children and their families. About 3.7 million young children are in need of help to attain an opportunity to lead successful and healthy lives. Many young children receive inadequate care and millions of children suffer from poor nutrition, a lack of immunization, abuse, neglect, and undiagnosed learning disabilities. In 1975 about 89,000 women who gave birth received little or no prenatal care, thereby increasing the risk of mental retardation in the newborn. It has been estimated that 75 percent of mental retardation can be attributed to adverse environmental conditions.