This article raises the question of whether Sesame Street could be a valuable learning device for children older than those for whom the program was designed as well as for children who are functioning below average for their ages. (Author/AM)

The author documents pervasive racial disparities in the health of American children and analyzes how and how much those disparities contribute to racial gaps in school readiness. She explores a broad sample of health problems common to U.S. children, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, asthma, and lead poisoning, as well as maternal…