Rights, justice, and equity: a global agenda for child health and wellbeing

Area of Science:

• Child Health and Wellbeing
• Global Health Security
• Human Rights in Pediatrics

Background:

• Global challenges like climate change, conflict, and inequity pose existential threats to child health and development.
• These issues violate children's fundamental rights to survival and optimal development.
• Existing approaches require enhancement through child rights-based frameworks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a global agenda for child health and wellbeing.
• To provide a blueprint for pediatric practice in clinical care, systems development, and policy.
• To address the root-cause determinants of global child health issues.

Main Methods:

• This viewpoint synthesizes current global challenges impacting child health.
• It proposes a rights-based approach grounded in justice and equity.
• The agenda is framed within the context of clinical care, systems development, and policy.

Main Results:

• A comprehensive global agenda for child health and wellbeing is outlined.
• The agenda emphasizes addressing the social, political, economic, and cultural determinants of health.
• It advocates for a recommitment to shared goals for children's health.

Conclusions:

• Child rights-based approaches are essential for addressing global child health threats.
• A global agenda grounded in rights, justice, and equity is crucial for pediatric practice and policy.
• The 30th anniversary of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child provides a timely opportunity for action.