Working Group lead author: Susan dosReis

Contributing authors: Rowan Willis-Powell, Laura Anderson, Laura Duncan, James A. Gaudino Jr, Robin Taylor Wilson, Camille Raynes-Greenow, Katy Bell.

Addressing the health and well-being of children, which herein refers to all individuals aged 18 or younger, to ensure the future health of society is a global public health priority. Placing both the positive and negative effects of public policies on children’s health and well-being at the forefront of policy development is a global imperative, as the consequences of these policies will impact children over their lifecourse.

We highlight three examples (global pandemics, climate change, and worldwide conflict) to illustrate how not prioritizing children in public health policies has adversely impacted child health and wellbeing, especially for the most vulnerable. We also emphasize how prioritizing and directly involving children in this work early on is critical to protect and advance the health and well-being of children around the globe.

We offer overarching and specific recommendations for how future policies and practices can address issues that affect children and the consequences to their health and development, and secure beneficial outcomes for their adult life.

Please read the full statement and our response to a BMJ article here.