Addressing population health inequities: investing in the social determinants of health for children and families to advance child health equity

Abstract

Purpose of reviewThis review provides a critical assessment of recent pediatric population health research with a specific focus on child health equity. The review addresses: the role of the healthcare sector in addressing fundamental social drivers of health, challenges within healthcare organizations in addressing health-related social needs and the social determinants of health, and the rationale for incorporating race and racism in pediatric population health research and practice.Recent findingsThe coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic brought greater attention to the disparities and inequities in American health and healthcare. In response to these stark inequities, many health systems are adopting efforts and initiatives to address social needs, social determinants of health, racism, and health equity. However, empirical evaluation detailing the effectiveness of these interventions and initiatives is limited.SummaryWhile attention to identifying social needs among pediatric populations is increasing, there is limited evidence regarding the effectiveness of these interventions in producing sustained reductions in health disparities. To advance child health equity, researchers should move beyond individual behavior modification and directly examine fundamental drivers of health inequities. These drivers include government and health policies as well as societal forces such as systemic racism.

Advancing healthcare equity through dissemination and implementation science

“…As organizations transition to value‐based payments, capture economic metrics of prevention services and evaluate how healthcare savings and expenses can impact population health. 146 …”

“…145 As organizations transition to value-based payments, capture economic metrics of prevention services and evaluate how healthcare savings and expenses can impact population health. 146 Referent perspectives (whose perspective is considered in the process) are important to calculating costs. 147 Consideration of the needs and resource constraints of different settings can drive whether cost analyses are done and are critical to ensure healthcare equity.…”

The potential role of social care in reducing childhood obesity

“…While systematic use of screening questions can be used to identify risk in privacy, a conversation using nonstigmatizing, empathic language about patient or parent preferences prior to providing an intervention may enhance trust and acceptance by families [77]. As recently reviewed in this journal, better understanding of clinical questions to identify social needs and identification of social needs interventions that effectively sustain child health equity are needed [78,79].…”