Child-initiated health care

For us, the 1970s have meant involvement in a variety of settings and a slow but progressive exploration of the extent to which children can and should be involved actively in the processes of their own health care. All of the evidence suggests that children are far more competent than adults believe them to be and, given the opportunity, they might grow up to do that which we as adults do very poorly - take care of ourselves. While studies of health-related beliefs and behaviors of children were relatively uncommon prior to the 1970s, we predict that the 1980s will see a flurry of activity in this area as it becomes apparent that the attitudes and behaviors which are the principle determinants of health status in adulthood are formed very early, and that these can be influenced for the better by those who care about the health of children.