Columnist Nicholas D. Kristof brings the impact of toxic stress [1] to the forefront in this column for The New York Times. Addressing the American Academy of Pediatrics’ January 2012 policy statement [2], which features Center Director Jack P. Shonkoff [3] as co-author, Kristof posits that the paper’s recommendations could have “revolutionary implications” for poverty, education, and health outcomes. As Kristof quotes the report, “Protecting young children from adversity is a promising, science-based strategy to address many of the most persistent and costly problems facing contemporary society.”