A New Framework for Childhood Health Promotion: The Role of Policies and Programs in Building Capacity and Foundations of Early Childhood Health

Abstract

Although the connection between early life experiences and later health is becoming increasingly clear, what is needed, now, is a new organizing framework for childhood health promotion, grounded in the latest science. We review the evidence base to identify the steps in the overall pathway to ensuring better health for all children. A key factor in optimizing health in early childhood is building capacities of parents and communities. Although often overlooked, capacities are integral to building the foundations of lifelong health in early childhood. We outline a framework for policymakers and practitioners to guide future decision-making and investments in early childhood health promotion.

Effectiveness of the Comprehensive Childhood Protection System for vulnerable mothers and children

“…Countries with high levels of inequality, as in the case of Chile, must incorporate public policies for social protection to address poverty and the generated vulnerability (18)(19)(20) . The results of the present study demonstrated the precarious living conditions of the mothers and children, as well as the gap between the expected and observed results from the access to the benefits and/or services guaranteed by law (1) .…”

“…Although the children and their mothers were admitted early and displayed good compliance with the health controls and although the professionals applied screening protocols for risks and psychosocial problems, there was no timely and focused management to ensure the access to preventive health services and the protection of comprehensive development in all of the children and women at psychosocial risk, as has been recommended in the reviewed literature (18)(19)(20)(21) . This fact is relevant because the "Chile Grows with You" program offers a range of services beginning with pregnancy and because the purpose of these services is to encourage early emotional ties between the children and their primary caregivers, thereby building a parental framework in which a secure attachment is essential for each stage of child development (3) .…”

“…The low perception of the social vulnerability of the dyad by professional midwives and nurses is a difficulty that limits application of the determinants and guaranteed social rights (22) . d) The presence of a segmented and fragmented health practice and operational management, both in health programs and social programs, limits the development of comprehensive solutions in which coordination, cooperation, and collaboration among the social sectors are essential (2,19,22,24) . The literature indicates that fragmentation causes ineffectiveness because of the poor linkage between the health and social systems (19,24) .…”

“…The policy has been designed with consideration of the guaranteed universal rights perspective, in which the family, community, and social network are at the heart of child development. Regarding the institutions and working teams of the involved sectors, this integration of social protection policies has designated them as responsible for managing the implementation, financing, provision, and regulation of access to the services offered, which is a condition that requires contextualized response capabilities and new methods of institutional organization (18)(19)(20) . Consequently, the nursing profession is driven by necessity to reflect on a proactive health practice to ensure the quality, relevance, comprehensiveness, and effectiveness of public policy management in reducing equity gaps, particularly in the most vulnerable child populations with concentrated inequality (21) .…”

Vigilância Do Crescimento E Desenvolvimento: Análise Dos Registros Na Caderneta De Saúde Da Criança

“…Este ponto de vista é particularmente valioso para a compreensão do potencial das políticas e programas voltados para a primeira infância, sob o intuito de produzir benefícios à vida adulta (1) . É importante, então, o enfoque na promoção da saúde e prevenção das doenças em crianças, a fim de proporcionar crescimento e desenvolvimento saudáveis.…”