Families, inequality, and child well-being are deeply connected. This report, commissioned by UN DESA for the International Day of Families, examines how global and regional patterns of inequality shape family formation, early childhood and child outcomes in the context of the 2030 Agenda. It analyses trends in income inequality, poverty, fertility, under-five mortality, education and broader family well-being, showing how disadvantage can be transmitted across generations when families are not adequately supported.

After working on infectious disease epidemics with the WHO, Dr. Slutkin developed the idea that violence spreads like a contagious disease and can therefore be prevented using similar interruption strategies. In this book he demonstrates that this public health approach can reduce many forms of violence, from community and domestic violence to broader conflict and even potential war.

The book provides a framework for structuring the improvement process and teaches users how to craft actionable questions about system outcomes. Chapters demonstrate analytic methods for answering those questions, grounded in foundational principles of longitudinal research.

This AP article describes how Nigerian troops rescued seven children and two women who had been kidnapped during an attack on an orphanage in Kogi State in April 2026.

The article reports on a landmark case in which a Greenlandic mother, Keira Alexandra Kronvold, successfully challenged Danish authorities for unlawfully removing her newborn shortly after birth based on contested parenting assessments.

This study aims to investigate the psychological factors influencing the mental health of orphans in institutional care in Pakistan, focusing on aspects such as childhood trauma, attachment disruptions, life satisfaction, and social isolation. The findings reveal varying levels of engagement, ranging from active involvement and contentment to feelings of isolation and nostalgia for home.

Using a qualitative approach, this study captures the voices of juveniles in correctional facilities, orphanages and street environments in Zambia. Findings reveal patterns of emotional distress, societal exclusion and systemic failures that contribute to cycles of vulnerability and marginalization.

Unaccompanied children and young people experiencing homelessness are at risk of significant lifelong negative outcomes. Supported accommodation services are a critical response to homelessness; however, these services do not always meet this cohort’s needs. This research project examines the effectiveness of Australia’s supported accommodation services in meeting the needs of unaccompanied children and young people aged 12–24. It proposes principles to guide policy and practice toward a better system.

This qualitative study explores the experiences of street children in Benin City, Nigeria, finding that family breakdown, poverty, abuse, and lack of parental care are key drivers of children leaving home. It shows that once on the streets, children adopt various survival strategies, including informal labor, begging, crime, and substance use, and calls for coordinated government and community action to strengthen families and support reintegration.

This review examines 43 documents on leaving care in Asia, highlighting limited research and significant gaps in policies and practices supporting care leavers. It finds that while some aftercare support exists, insufficient attention is given to young people’s physical and mental health, underscoring the need for stronger, context-specific policies and research in the region.