Compared to only 1 % of white children, 17 % of black children suffer
from asthma because low - income African - Americans are more likely to live in
substandard, allergen - dense
housing.
However, as a consequence of young mothers being required to work, infants may be placed in child care at a very early age, and mothers often require a patchwork of solutions, some of which may be
substandard.40 Quality child care and early childhood education are extremely important for the promotion of cognitive and socioemotional development of infants and toddlers.41 Yet, child care may cost as much as
housing in most areas of the United States, 25 % of the budget of a family with 2 children, and infant care can cost as much as college.42 Many working families benefit
from the dependent care tax credit for the cost of child care, allowing those families to place their children in a certified or higher - quality environment.43 However, working families who do not have sufficient income to pay taxes are not able to realize this support for their children, because the credit is not refundable or paid to families before taxation.44 Therefore, some of the most at - risk children who might benefit
from high - quality early childhood education are not eligible for financial support.