Abstract
Background: Governments are responsible for ensuring children’s rights, wellbeing, and safety, including by adequately supporting families and communities in responding to the impacts associated with social determinants of health throughout the lifespan. Article 24 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child emphasises the right of every child to the highest attainable standard of health. The World Health Organization (2023) reports that injuries (including road traffic injuries and drowning), interpersonal violence, self-harm and maternal conditions are the leading causes of death among youth.
Recognising the multiple social determinants of children and young people’s health and wellbeing, investing in integrated healthcare services and taking a holistic approach to children’s health and welfare is necessary. Despite the need to advocate for improved equitable access to healthcare, including integrated care to reduce inequality, only nine Public Health Associations (PHAs) out of 130 globally have policies that relate to women, children and youth.
Approach: Members of the World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA) Women Children and Youth Working Group of drafted a Children and Young People’s Health and Rights Policy and an Implementation plan in 2024. The working group membership includes over 50 representatives of Public Health Associations globally. The WFPHA policy committee then reviewed and approved the draft policy and implementation plan.
Results: The WFPHA emphasises the need for integrated care and comprehensive support for children and young people from birth to 18 to ensure their optimal health and wellbeing.
Governments should support children facing multiple disadvantage by increasing justice diversionary programs and community-led initiatives. Governments must tackle inequality and discrimination in healthcare, law enforcement, education, and welfare systems, providing holistic support to marginalised groups.
A rights-based approach to engage marginalised groups is needed. Ensuring equitable access to health services is crucial for achieving health equity. Children should be recognised as active participants in decisions affecting them, with their voices heard and respected. Policy, research, and program development support should involve co-design and participatory approaches.
Strengthening primary healthcare and educating communities about preventive health measures such as vaccination is crucial. Governments should invest in early intervention and prevention strategies to address mental health issues and trauma in children and young people. Adequate resourcing and integration of child protection, family support, and welfare services are essential to promote children’s rights and break cycles of disadvantage is needed. Addressing inequities faced by Indigenous children requires a focus on self-determination and cultural respect.
Implications: The WFPHA has published a policy on Children and Young People’s Health and Rights to advocate for measures to ensure holistic support and equitable access to integrated health, education, and human services for all children and young people. Governments should uphold children and young people’s rights, promote safety, and mitigate poverty, inequality, and discrimination. There is a need to progress policy and advocacy action for these population groups. The WFPHA policy provides a global tool for advocacy to reduce inequality within and among countries.