Defining and Promoting Pediatric Pulmonary Health: Equitable Family and Community Partnerships

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Pulmonology
• Community Health
• Implementation Science

Background:

• Optimizing lifelong pulmonary health starts in childhood, necessitating collaboration between families, pulmonologists, and pediatricians for equitable outcomes.
• A workshop identified key strategies for pediatric pulmonary research, focusing on community-based pillars and research principles.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish an agenda for pediatric pulmonary research focused on optimizing lung and sleep health in children and adolescents.
• To integrate community-based approaches with research principles to address diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).

Main Methods:

• Weaving together 4 community-based pillars with 4 research principles to guide future research.
• Emphasizing diverse participant inclusion, community-centered priorities, and nontraditional care sites.
• Fostering community-academic and family research partnerships from study inception.

Main Results:

• Research must prioritize community needs and apply findings to all, especially marginalized groups.
• Implementation and dissemination science are crucial for expanding pediatric pulmonary research.
• Cross-disciplinary collaboration through community-academic partnerships and integrated networks is essential.

Conclusions:

• Authentic community partnerships and inclusive principles are vital for optimizing pediatric lung and sleep health.
• Research should extend beyond traditional settings to address social determinants of health.
• Equitable pulmonary and sleep health outcomes for all children require a lifespan, community-integrated approach.