Children's Health Interventions

Evidence suggests that current clinical service delivery mechanisms fall short in key areas such as addressing children's developmental and other "nonmedical" (psychosocial, environmental) concerns (Young, Davis, & Schoen., 1996. The Commonwealth Fund Survey of Parents with Young children. NY , NY : The Commonwealth Fund). These concerns are often linked to common morbidities (e.g., developmental delay, drug & alcohol abuse, mental & emotional disorders, family violence) that challenge families and health care providers (Green & Palfrey, eds., 2000. Bright futures: Guidelines for health supervision of infants, children, and adolescents, 2 nd ed. Arlington , VA : National Center for Education in Maternal and Child Health). Although these psychosocial/environmental concerns undermine health, clinicians often feel inadequate to address them Blumenthal, Campbell, Gokhale, et al., 2001. Preparedness for clinical practice: reports of graduating residents at academic health centers. JAMA; 286(9): 1027-1034).

Social Issues & Barriers To Care

Although all children are vulnerable, for some children this is exaggerated by poor health, social or family circumstances, or other environmental threats. For example, children who have been abused or neglected and placed into foster care often have been severely traumatized, diminishing their capacity to respond to age-specific developmental demands. Similarly, children whose parents have acute or chronic mental health or substance abuse problems can be routinely exposed to serious health and developmental threats.

Clinicians may not inquire about issues such as domestic violence, mental illness, homelessness, drug and alcohol abuse, hunger, access to high quality child care, educational resources, or social isolation, if they cannot offer a resource or potential solution to the family. Toaddress effectively the ehalth risk and protective factors affecting children, a clinical practice must function as a hub or resource center that is effectively linked to community resources.

Resources

10 Key Indicators of Child Well-Being

The National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center

Reach Out and Read

Child Advocacy Center 352-376-9161

Child Protection Team 352-334-1300

Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resource System 800-533-0326

Children Medical Services 800-523-7545

Early Learning Coalition of Alachua County 352-375-4110

Alachua Multi-County Migrant Education Program 352-955-6855

Children's Health Facts

Percent of children 6-11 years of age who are overweight: 17.5 (2001-2004) (Source: Health, United States, 2006, Table 74).

Percent of children without health insurance: 9.3 (2006) (Source: Early release of selected estimates from the National Health Interview Survey, Tables 1.1).

Astha is a common chronic disease among children in the United States. (http://yosemite.epa.gov/ochp/ochpweb.nsf/content/fastfacts.htm)

 

 

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