Strengthening Pediatric and Public Health Collaboration to Protect Children's Health During a Pandemic

Zanah K Francis; Elizabeth M Dufort; Bernadette A Albanese; Wendy M Chung; Ellen H Lee; Zack Moore; Laurene Mascola; Erica Pan; Caitlin Pedati; George Turabelidze; Sarah Y Park

doi:10.1016/j.pcl.2024.01.016

Strengthening Pediatric and Public Health Collaboration to Protect Children's Health During a Pandemic

Pediatr Clin North Am. 2024 Jun;71(3):469-479. doi: 10.1016/j.pcl.2024.01.016. Epub 2024 Mar 19.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ United States Department of Health and Human Services, 200 Independence Avenue Southwest, Washington, DC 20201, USA.
² Albany Medical College, 43 New Scotland Avenue, Albany, NY 12237, USA.
³ Adams County Health Department, 4430 South Adams County Parkway, Brighton, CO 80601, USA.
⁴ Texas Medical Association, 3600 Gaston Avenue, Dallas, TX 75246, USA.
⁵ New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, 42-09 28th Street, CN-22A, Long Island City, NY 11101, USA.
⁶ Division of Public Health, Epidemiology Section, Department of Health and Human Services, 225 N. McDowell Street, Raleigh, NC 27603, USA.
⁷ Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, 313 N. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012, USA.
⁸ Center for Infectious Diseases, California Department of Public Health, 850 Marina Bay Parkway, Richmond, CA 94804, USA; Pediatric Infectious Diseases, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.
⁹ Virginia Beach Department of Public Health; 4452 Corporation Lane, Virginia Beach, VA 23462, USA.
¹⁰ Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, 220 South Jefferson Street, St Louis, MO, 63103, USA.
¹¹ John A. Burns School of Medicine Department of Pediatrics, Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 1319 Punahou Street, Room 739, Honolulu, HI 96826, USA. Electronic address: sypark@alum.mit.edu.

PMID: 38754936
DOI: 10.1016/j.pcl.2024.01.016

Abstract

This article examines lessons learned from previous pandemics, including the 2009 H1N1 influenza and the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Pediatric providers have a unique and important role and strategies to improve collaboration and communication between public health and pediatric providers are essential during public health emergencies. A robust network of communication channels, effective public health messaging, and pediatric-focused disease related, and program outcome data are key to supporting a coordinated response to future pandemics. Critical issues include real-time communication with and engagement of pediatric providers as well as optimizing best evidence approaches for pediatric care while considering the distinct challenges facing children and their families.

Keywords: Pandemic preparedness; Public health; School closure; Science communication; Vaccination.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

COVID-19* / epidemiology
COVID-19* / prevention & control
Child
Child Health*
Humans
Influenza, Human / epidemiology
Influenza, Human / prevention & control
Pandemics* / prevention & control
Pediatrics*
Public Health*
SARS-CoV-2