2025 Children's of Alabmama Community Health Needs Assessment

Youth exposure and safety Caregivers reported early exposure to drugs, unsupervised time after school, and influence from older siblings involved in risky behavior. Gun violence was described as pervasive. Social Media Oversight Adults worry about harmful online content and struggle to monitor children’s digital lives. Librarians reported frequent intervention to redirect youth away from inappropriate online material.

Community Cohesion and Support Participants mourned the erosion of the “it takes a village” ethos and called for regular community support groups.

“We’re not communicating with our children to find out what’s going on in their lives.”

Summary of Needs

• Expand trauma-informed mental health and family counseling. • Develop caregiver education on child protection and digital safety. • Support local forums for peer and caregiver dialogue (e.g., library-based groups). • Invest in community youth engagement and violence prevention initiatives.

THE WILLIAM A. DANIEL, JR. ADOLESCENT CLINIC’ S YOUTH ADVISORY BOARD: YOUTH VOICES FROM BEYOND BIRMINGHAM

On October 15 th , 2025, high school juniors and seniors belonging to the William A. Daniel, Jr. Adolescent Clinic’s Youth Advisory Board participated in a 75-minute focus group facilitated by an Adolescent Clinic physician. Although all participants were Black young women from Jefferson County, this group included students from beyond the city of Birmingham and touched on different themes from those that emerged with the Birmingham City Schools cohort.

KEY THEMES

Respect and Communication Students wished more resources were available to them from Children’s Hospital and expressed frustrations with the lack of opportunities to discuss concerns away from their parents. They described feelings of shame discussing such topics as sexual health and mental health concerns raised during visits. They also said doctors should use more accessible language and leave space for give-and-take when discussing care and that social workers should be available to support access and compliance.

“It would help if they were more curious about me.”

Major Health Events and Natural Disasters Students were still experiencing social and emotional fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of them also had worried about tornados and other severe weather. In particular, they discussed the lingering effects of virtual schooling during the pandemic. “I didn’t even remember how to smile or [make] facial expressions or even how to interact with people. Having some sort of interactions would have been important.” Adult Mental Health Students wished for more resources to help support children whose parents are experiencing mental illness or struggling with misinformation, a timely reminder that untreated health problems in parents can have a generational impact. “My father got into conspiracy theories and was actively prepping for a societal result, and that really messes with your brain when you’re like ten and constantly thinking people are going to kill you.”

Children’s of Alabama, 2025 CHNA

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