Journal of Pediatric Health Care Launches Special Edition Focused on Planetary Health
Issue takes deeper look into ways environmental factors affect the health of children.
NEW YORK, Jan. 10, 2022 – According to the World Health Organization, between 2030-2050, climate change is expected to cause approximately 250,000 additional deaths per year from malnutrition, malaria, diarrhea and heat stress. Climate change is no longer a potential threat, but rather a crisis affecting society now and the Journal of Pediatric Health Care has published a special edition focused on planetary health, environmental justice and child health to shed light on the impact climate change will have on children both now and in the future.
“About 1 billion children – almost half of all children in the world – live in countries deemed to be at extremely high risk from climate change impacts,” said guest co-editor Mary Chesney, PhD, APRN, CPNP, FAANP, FAAN. “Pediatric nurse practitioners and their fellow pediatric health care providers have a critical role in educating families, caregivers and policymakers about environmental threats and advocating for policies that protect children and the environment.”
The issue features nine articles that cover current risks affecting the next generation of children, current evidence and impact of climate change on the range of vector-borne diseases in the U.S., food insecurity, lead screening and intoxication, chemical exposure, risk factors for childhood cancer, air quality and much more.
Co-editor Karen Duderstadt, PhD, RN, CPNP, FAAN suggests, “Children’s health and well-being heavily rely on the moral and just distribution of clean air, clean water and safe food sources. It’s imperative that elected leaders and other stakeholders take bold action now so we have a sustainable ecosystem to support our planet for generations to come.”
The goal of this special edition is to inform the pediatric health care community and other interested stakeholders with current evidence on the increasing environmental threats and the current and future impact of climate change on child health outcomes. Because of this, the issue is available online for free to the public until Feb. 28.
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The National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP) is the nation’s only professional association for pediatric-focused advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) dedicated to improving the quality of health care for infants, children, adolescents and young adults. Representing more than 8,000 healthcare practitioners with 18 special interest groups and 53 chapters, NAPNAP has been advocating for children’s health since 1973 and was the first APRN society in the U.S. Our mission is to empower pediatric-focused advanced practice registered nurses and key partners to optimize child and family health. www.NAPNAP.org
