Child Health in America

Drawing on her rich clinical experience and on her academic excellence, Judith Palfrey has written a remarkable book on how advocacy and public involvement can make a major difference to one of the most important and yet neglected areas of health care. The complex influences that operate on child health require a serious exploration which Palfrey has provided in an account that is at once informative and readable. We have much reason to be grateful to Judith Palfrey for this timely and significant contribution. -- Amartya Sen, Nobel Laureate Dr. Palfrey has provided an excellent framework and overview of child health advocacy. All those concerned with the status of children and families in America today will benefit from reading Dr. Palfrey's guide to advocacy and examples of visionary leaders who have been successful in implementing policy and programs for children. This should be required reading for all child health practitioners and citizens interested in making a difference for children. -- Deborah Klein Walker, Ed.D, President, American Public Health Association 2006 Dr. Palfrey's written call to action comes at a time when child health is receiving its most challenging assaults both at the federal and state level. Policies which determine the distribution of health resources are as child-unfriendly as they have been in over a decade. Child Health in America: Making a Difference through Advocacy provides a plan, calls upon the examples of successful advocates, and closes with the most important element of all, political will! I will use it to spread the word, and teach my students and residents. Thank you Judy. -- Renee R. Jenkins, M.D., F.A.A.P., Howard University College of Medicine and President-Elect,American Academy of Pediatrics 2006

This original and progressive work affirms the urgent need for child advocacy and provides valuable guidance to those seeking to participate in efforts to help all children live healthier, happier lives.Who will speak for the children? is the question posed by Judith S. Palfrey, a pediatrician and child advocate who confronts unconscionable disparities in U.S. health care-a system that persistently fails sick and disabled children despite annual expenditures of 1.8 trillion. In Child Health in America, Palfrey explores the meaning of advocacy to children's health and describes how health providers, community agencies, teachers, parents, and others can work together to bring about needed change. Palfrey presents a conceptual framework for child health advocacy consisting of four interconnected components: clinical, group, professional, and legislative. Describing each of these concepts in useful and compelling detail, she is also careful to provide examples of best practices. This original and progressive work affirms the urgent need for child advocacy and provides valuable guidance to those seeking to participate in efforts to help all children live healthier, happier lives.