Population and Culture

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  Pediatricians must continue to address major issues impacting children’s health outcomes including access to care, health disparities, and environmental factors including toxic stressors such as poverty and violence.

  
  
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  The significant increase in the number of children with a chronic medical condition (e.g., asthma, obesity, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) affects both inpatient and outpatient care.

  
  
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  Addressing the following as a part of routine health care allows pediatricians to impact health care outcomes:

  
  
  
  
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    Toxic stressors (e.g., maternal stress, poverty, exposure to violence)

    
    
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    The use of electronic nicotine delivery systems or e-cigarettes

    
    
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    The sedentary lifestyle as children spend an increased amount of time in front of a screen (TV, videogames, computers, cell phones)

    
    
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    Early recognition of mental illness (It is estimated that 1 in 5 adolescents has a mental health condition.)

    
    
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    Use of complementary and alternative medicine (to minimize unintended interactions)