Pediatric Prevention and Intervention in the Community

The health of children is largely influenced by the factors in their immediate environment, including their families, schools, and neighborhoods. However, according to Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory, children are also influenced by larger social systems that indirectly effect development, like the school system and the cultural values and traditions of the larger society. This issue of the Journal of Prevention and Intervention in the Community highlights research that investigates the importance of the various ecological systems on child health. Three articles focus on issues with particular relevance in pediatrics, including tobacco prevention, injury prevention, and sexually transmitted infection treatment. Two articles focus on community-engaged intervention programs to treat chronic childhood issues. Finally, one article focuses on the interaction between culture and pediatric health beliefs.