Health and social context: social capital's utility as a construct for nursing and health promotion

Social capital is a health-related construct that is a way for pediatric nurse practitioners (PNPs) to conceptualize the interconnectedness between health and social relations. Applying the concept of "social capital" to child and family health has the capacity to help PNPs reframe persistent questions and explore health issues in new and creative ways. A health-enabling environment must be built using a bottom-up approach, with participatory health promotion programs and internally driven community health projects. PNPs must create opportunities for networking and diffusing knowledge about community-related health issues. PNPs also must build their own social capital and practice "vision therapy" to develop new interventions to enhance child and family health.