The Influence of Health Care Policies on Children's Health and Development and commentaries

R ates of health insurance for children have improved significantly over the past few decades, and more children have insurance than ever before in U.S. history. Health care does improve child health and well-being, but growing understanding of social and community influences has led health care practitioners to work toward more comprehensive and community-integrated child health services to improve child and family well-being. High rates of poverty affect children’s health— poor children have more acute and chronic illness and higher mortality as well. Children and youth also have more diagnosed mental health conditions than in years past. This paper reviews the current state of health insurance for children and youth and contrasts health services with the needs of children and families. It then describes new models of health care, including ones that actively connect health care with other community services, and suggests promising trends in child health care.