A Framework for Pursuing Child Health Equity in Pediatric Practice

Robert S Kahn; Tina L Cheng; Monica J Mitchell

doi:10.1016/j.pcl.2023.03.002

A Framework for Pursuing Child Health Equity in Pediatric Practice

Pediatr Clin North Am. 2023 Aug;70(4):629-638. doi: 10.1016/j.pcl.2023.03.002. Epub 2023 May 25.

Authors

Robert S Kahn¹, Tina L Cheng², Monica J Mitchell³

Affiliations

¹ University of Cincinnati, Michael Fisher Child Health Equity Center, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229-3026, USA. Electronic address: Robert.kahn@cchmc.org.
² University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Michael Fisher Child Health Equity Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue MLC 3106, Cincinnati, OH 45229-3026, USA.
³ Division of Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology, University of Cincinnati; Community Relations, Center for Clinical and Translational Science and Training, Community Engagement, Michael Fisher Child Health Equity Center, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue MLC 3015, Cincinnati, OH 45229-3026, USA.

PMID: 37422304
DOI: 10.1016/j.pcl.2023.03.002

Abstract

This article brings together several disparate frameworks to help outline a needed shift in pediatric practice to ensure child health equity. That shift involves moving from a commitment to equal care delivery to an explicit commitment to equitable health outcomes. The frameworks describe (1) the distinct domains of child health where inequity can be expressed, (2) the shortfalls of equal care delivery in meeting that promise, (3) a coherent typology of the barriers that drive health inequity and (4) a characterization of interventions as downstream, midstream, and upstream in nature.

Keywords: Child health equity; Community partnerships; Pediatric practice; Social determinants of health.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Child
Delivery of Health Care
Health Equity*
Humans