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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Jennifer Breaux, MPH, CHES, Research Coordinator - CSNAP, Drexel University School of Public Health, 1505 Race Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102, 215-762-7937, jrb43@drexel.edu and Mariana Chilton, PhD, MPH, Assistant Professor, Drexel University SChool of Public Health, 1505 Race St., Philadelphia, PA 19102.

Every child has the right to a “standard of living adequate for the child's physical, mental, spiritual, moral and social development.” The Convention of the Rights of the Child does acknowledge the three P's of children's rights: personhood, protection and participation; however, it does not include a provision to ensure that children are able to participate in decision making regarding their own wellbeing. The document is legally binding but, as of today, the US has not ratified the convention. Agency of children in making health decisions in the US is especially important in chronic disease management. This presentation asserts that adolescents (aged 14-18) should be provided the opportunity to take an active role in medical decision-making. In order to ensure and uphold an adolescent's dignity and rights and enhance human capabilities, a child should have an equal voice as a member of a triadic decision making team consisting of physician, guardian, and child. In defense of applying this model to the medical decision making process, we explore multiple issues surrounding the establishment of a triadic relationship (a) the relevant cultural/historical backdrop, (b) an examination of opposing viewpoints, (c) an analysis of the triadic relationship through a human rights and capabilities framework, and (d) suggestions of possible solutions that can help facilitate medical decision making about chronic disease management. We developed a checklist to assist guardians and physicians in acknowledging and accepting the triadic model as a standard of care that ensures the dignity, rights and agency of children.

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

• Identify the major themes of assenting and dissenting viewpoints surrounding the triadic model.
• Describe the importance of children’s agency with regard to chronic disease management.
• Understand the complexity of issues surrounding medical decision making and adolescents within a human rights context.

Keywords: Human Rights, Child/Adolescent

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered