Redesigning Pediatric Preventive Care to Advance Child Health

Pediatric preventive care, beginning at birth and extending through young adulthood to support the health of children, is a cornerstone of pediatric primary care, supporting the physical, developmental, and mental health of children through periodic health supervision visits, also known as "well-child care". Pediatric preventive care visits provide opportunities to monitor growth and development, identify physical and mental health conditions early, deliver disease prevention and health promotion services, offer anticipatory guidance and education to improve child safety and well-being, and provide psychosocial support for children, families, and caregivers. Pediatric preventive care has played a pivotal role in reducing childhood morbidity and mortality through vaccination, improved nutrition, early identification of developmental delays, and prevention of unintentional injuries. However, the landscape of child health, along with the epidemiology of childhood illness, has shifted. Children now face more risk for developing complex chronic conditions, for earlier onset of diseases typically seen in adulthood, and through the strong influence of social and environmental factors on health. At the same time, demographic changes in the U.S. child population and a pediatric workforce capacity that has been slow to adapt, adds pressures to the existing model of pediatric preventive care. It is essential to reimagine pediatric preventive care to ensure it continues to meet the evolving needs of children and families. In this review, we discuss evidence-based strategies, innovations, and future directions, to redesign pediatric preventive care to ensure alignment with current health needs of children and families.