US Child Health Decline Calls for a Developmental Ecosystems Response, Pediatrician Argues
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Christopher Forrest, speaking in a NEJM interview, argues that the health of US children has worsened over the past 20 years across physical, neurodevelopmental and mental measures, and that many of these trends share common underlying roots. He proposes a "developmental ecosystems" framework in which community, family, education, healthcare and policy jointly shape child health, rather than any single sector acting alone. Cincinnati Children's Hospital is cited as an example of embedding health systems within community-led action. Forrest calls for building a new ecosystem science and a new social contract for children's health. His argument is at the proposal stage: no implementation plan, funding commitment or policy response has yet accompanied it.
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- youtube.comChristopher Forrest Tells NEJM US Child Health Decline Needs a Developmental Ecosystems Response
Christopher Forrest presented a NEJM interview arguing that US children's health has declined across physical, neurodevelopmental and mental measures over the past 20 years, with many trends sharing common roots. He proposes a "developmental ecosystems" framework in which community, family, education, healthcare and policy jointly shape child health, citing Cincinnati Children's Hospital as an example of embedding health systems in community-led action. He calls for a new ecosystem science and a new social contract for children's health.
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