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AAP: Pediatricians play important role in community health
A newly released AAP policy statement stresses the important role that clinicians play in the health and well-being of children in the context of their families and communities.
The AAP Council on Community Pediatricsdefined community pediatrics as “the practice of promoting and integrating the positive social, cultural and environmental influences on children’s health, as well as addressing potential negative effects that deter optimal child health and development within a community.”
Among the 11 listed recommendations, council members urge pediatricians to use community data to learn the economic, demographic and epidemiological information that influences child health in the populations they treat.
The framework emphasizes cooperation with “public health departments, school districts, child welfare agencies, community and children’s hospitals and colleagues” to optimize health for children in these communities.
In addition, the statement advised clinicians to promote health at individual well visits and on the community level in a culturally sensitive fashion, and encouraged clinicians to become involved in all places where children spend their time, such as childcare centers, youth programs and recreation venues.
Other recommendations highlighted advocacy for universal access to health care and other essential resources, use of media to inform parents and the public, and the need to address uncompensated work by pediatricians.
Disclosure: Council members report no relevant financial disclosures.
