Call for Submissions: Planetary Pediatrics and Child Health.

Abstract

It is clear that our environment is changing, with increased urbanization, biodiversity shifts, climate change, water scarcity, an expansion in the number and types of natural disasters, and global pollution. In fact, we are now in a new geological era, the Anthropocene, which is characterized by humanity's impact on the Earth's natural systems. As a result, we have seen some of the hottest years on record with shortages of arable land and freshwater—leading to a decline in our ability to feed ourselves. These changes to the quality of the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the decline in the quality of natural life support systems are projected to drive the global burden of disease in the coming century. We have already seen how environmental threats have led to poor outcomes in nutrition, infectious disease, civil strife, displacement of communities, and mental health issues. There are numerous thematic areas in the field of planetary health. Planetary pediatric and child health is an emerging global, interdisciplinary field committed to fulfilling the rights of children to optimal health: a safe and healthy climate and equitable access to the world's health and natural resources. This field expands upon the work of the 1Planetary Health Alliance. (n.d.). Planetary health. Retrieved from https://www.planetaryhealthalliance.org/planetary-healthGoogle Scholar that focuses “on characterizing the human health impacts of human-caused disruptions of Earth's natural systems” (para. 1) by further exploring the intersections of climate health; child health; and social, economic, and environmental justice that impact the lives and wellbeing of the world's children. The scope of planetary health topics and the impact on child health was a major focus of discussion in a recent meeting of the Journal of Pediatric Health Care’s Editorial Advisory Board. As a bold action item, the Journal of Pediatric Health Care will be publishing a special issue encompassing numerous themes related to planetary pediatric and child health for the January/February 2022 issue. The topics to be presented in this issue will include original research or informative literature reviews from interprofessional contributors of various fields, including nursing, medicine, public health, environmental studies, sociology, and economics. Through the Journal, we intend to communicate about the impact of climate change on child health, the effects of environmental pollutants and toxins in children, and the larger issues of health care access, resource disparities, and inequities. As in every issue of the Journal, we also hope to explore these important themes through multiple perspectives while highlighting case studies, professional issue topics, research approaches, health policy, and advocacy initiatives. Moreover, we intend to explore further how global and planetary health issues intersect with social, economic, and environmental justice inequities and contribute to the outcomes of structural racism and poverty. There are many leaders in pediatric nursing and health care whose work focuses on child health effects of being in nature and the outcomes of environmental degradation in pediatrics. Thus, we are issuing this call for submissions for those who are interested in submitting manuscripts, either full length or departmental pieces, for the planned special issue. The issue will be co-edited by Drs. Mary Chesney and Karen Duderstadt, who are experts in advocacy and policy—particularly as related to advancing the health of children and our planet. We have seen many advances in pediatric health care over the past century. However, particularly during this time of the pandemic, we are rapidly becoming aware of the complex, current relationship between planetary health and child health outcomes. Moreover, it is also the future generation that will be hardest hit by health and economic burdens attributed to humans' effects on our fragile environment. Martha K. Swartz, Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Pediatric Health Care, Yale School of Nursing, Yale University, West Haven, CT.