Includes bibliographical references and index.

Families in crisis, children in jeopardy -- Infants and children at risk : society's toll -- Stopping the damage before it starts : better prenatal care -- Health from the start : preventive health care in the first few years -- The family crucible : opportunities for and obstacles to healthy child development -- Who's minding the children? Confronting the child-care crisis -- Protecting our children in their first few years -- Saving lives in the early years : putting knowledge to widespread use -- The transition to elementary school and development in middle childhood -- The nature and scope of adolescent problems -- Education in early adolescence : turning points -- Science and health in adolescent education -- Teaching life skills and fostering social support -- Preventing substance abuse in early adolescence -- Educating the disadvantaged -- Overview : the road we have traveled and the road ahead.