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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Catherine Cowell, PhD, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 730 Riverside Dr., Apt 3-B, New York, NY 10031, 212-234-5416, cc34@columbia.edu and Marilyn J. Krajicek, EdD, RN, FAAN, School of Nursing, University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center, 1784 Racine Street, Building 401, Aurora, CO 80010.

More than 12 million infants, toddlers and preschool age children were enrolled in a wide range of child care settings including licensed care and informal arrangements between parents and relatives, friends, or neighbors in 2001. Protecting the health and safety of a child in any child care environment is a human right. These children are a population of concern to public health because infants and young children are at a critical stage in their growth and development that will shape their future adult lives. These children need access to quality health services that are culturally sensitive to family needs and they need to be protected and cared for in a nurturing environment that promotes their health. Since children can't speak for themselves they need strong advocates. Public health professionals and pediatricians, who serve as health consultants to child care programs and the parents of the children, can serve as these advocates and as teachers by promoting key health and safety practices through the dissemination of authoritative health and safety resources geared to providers and parents.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• To help parents understand what comprises a healthy and safe environment for their child in child care.
• To demonstrate a framework for partnership between parents and child care providers to address health and safety practices in child care.
• To develop practical public health strategies around early intervention with food and eating, dental health and physical activity to promote healthy weight and prevent inappropriate weight gain in children.

Keywords: Child Care, Health Promotion

Related Web page: www.healthykids.us

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered