Child Health Day, 2022

President Biden proclaimed October 3, 2022 as Child Health Day, using the occasion to highlight administration achievements on children's health coverage, gun safety legislation, mental health services in schools, COVID-19 vaccines for young children, and initiatives to expand free school meals and replace lead pipes and diesel school buses. The proclamation calls upon families, health professionals, community organizations, and governments to help ensure children's safety and health.

Federal Register Open PDF 87 FR 60263

Impact dates

Jan 1, 2032
Expand free school meals to 9 million more kids
Oct 3, 2022
Child Health Day observance

Key directives

Proclaim Monday, October 3, 2022 as Child Health Day
Call upon families, child health professionals, faith-based and community organizations, and governments to help ensure America's children stay safe and healthy

Timeline

Immediate

Proclamation of October 3, 2022 as Child Health Day

Near term (90d)

—

Long term

Expansion of free school meals to 9 million more kids by 2032
Replacement of all lead pipes in the Nation
Replacement of thousands of diesel school buses with electric buses

Risks & tensions

Proclamation mixes ceremonial observance with political messaging on contested policy issues (gun control, climate, tax policy)
Mentions of legislative goals (assault weapon ban, free preschool) that are aspirational rather than accomplished
Some claims reference policies enacted through separate legislation (Inflation Reduction Act, American Rescue Plan) rather than this proclamation itself