Health promotion for children. Key to a lifetime of health

Evidence indicates that preventive healthcare in childhood reduces healthcare costs and enhances health. Physicians can assume a leadership role in promoting children's health by incorporating health promotion measures into their everyday practice, serving as resource persons or leaders in community and school efforts in health promotion, and lobbying for legislation aimed at preventive care. The goals of these efforts are to achieve a healthy childhood, provide a foundation for a healthy adulthood, and develop in children positive values about personal health responsibility and use of healthcare services.