title: Transforming the U.S. child health system.
abstract: This paper presents a vision and rationale for reform of the U.S. child health system based on paradigmatic changes in the conceptualization of child health development. Reviewing well-known and well-documented accounts of how this system is under-performing, we suggest that a bold, well-defined, transformative, and long-term reform strategy is needed to address intractable problems in the underlying operating logic, organization, and financing of the current child health system. We conclude by considering an optimistic, long-term policy transformation agenda, building up emerging opportunities and changing realities in the United States and abroad.
authors.affiliation: Center for Healthier Children, Families, and Communities, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA. nhalfon@ucla.edu
authors.forename: Neal
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Halfon
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: DuPlessis
authors.forename: Moira
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Inkelas
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002662:Child Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D002669:Child Welfare; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D018166:Health Care Reform; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016730:Program Development; D014481:United States