Pandemic Planning, Response, and Recovery for Pediatricians: A Focus on Health Equity and Social Determinants of Health

Authors

Joelle N. Simpson, Department of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine, George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA; Emergency Medicine & Trauma Center, Children's National Hospital, 111 Michigan Avenue, Northwest, Washington, DC 20010, USA. Electronic address: jnsimpso@childrensnational.org.
Joseph L. Wright, Department of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine, George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA; Department of Health Policy and Management, George Washington University School of Public Health, Washington DC 20052.

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

6-1-2024

Journal

Pediatric clinics of North America

Volume

71

Issue

3

DOI

10.1016/j.pcl.2024.02.001

Keywords

Disaster preparedness; Health equity; Pandemic preparedness; Pediatric readiness; Social determinants of health

Abstract

This article summarizes how pediatricians may be uniquely positioned to mitigate the long-term trajectory of COVID-19 on the health and wellness of pediatric patients especially with regard to screening for social determinants of health that are recognized drivers of disparate health outcomes. Health inequities, that is, disproportionately deleterious health outcomes that affect marginalized populations, have been a major source of vulnerability in past public health emergencies and natural disasters. Recommendations are provided for pediatricians to collaborate with disaster planning networks and lead strategies for public health communication and community engagement in pediatric pandemic and disaster planning, response, and recovery efforts.

APA Citation

Simpson, Joelle N. and Wright, Joseph L., "Pandemic Planning, Response, and Recovery for Pediatricians: A Focus on Health Equity and Social Determinants of Health" (2024). GW Authored Works. Paper 5191.
https://hsrc.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/gwhpubs/5191

Department

Pediatrics