The Pediatrician's Role in Community Pediatrics Policy Statement

The economic organization of health care and social service systems in the United States is undergoing profound changes. As clinicians and educators encounter new demands, it is important that they reaffirm their vital role of promoting the health and well-being of all children in the communities that they serve.

The Pediatrician's Role in Community Pediatrics Policy Statement, developed by the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Community Health Services in 1999, addresses these issues and offers a definition of community pediatrics. Specifically, community pediatrics represents all of the following:

• A perspective that enlarges the pediatrician's focus from one child to all children in the community
• A recognition that family, educational, social, cultural, spiritual, economic, environmental, and political forces act favorably or unfavorably, but always significantly, on the health and functioning of children
• A synthesis of clinical practice and public health principles directed toward providing health care to a given child and promoting the health of all children within the context of family, school, and the community
• A commitment to use a community's resources in collaboration with other professionals, agencies, and parents to achieve optimal accessibility, appropriateness, and quality of services for all children, and to advocate for those who lack access to care because of social or economic conditions or special health care needs
• An integral part of the professional role and duty of the pediatrician
  

In addition, this policy statement offers health professionals recommendations for incorporating this dimension into their practices.

Read more about this policy statement on the AAP Web site.