Child Advocacy in the Twenty-first Century

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The professional role of pediatricians should include advocacy. Children’s physical, mental, and behavioral health are affected by social determinants of health. Several components of the Affordable Care Act are directed at improving the health of US children, but lack of health insurance for children, including those who are undocumented, remains a significant problem. There are numerous avenues that physicians may take in advocating for children, including patient-level, community-level, and legislative advocacy. Advocacy training is an important component of residency to ensure that the next generation of pediatricians has the skills necessary to address the growing challenges of health disparities."