Children’s health outcomes are shaped by more than medical care alone. Factors such as housing stability, food access, transportation, family income, education, neighborhood conditions, and access to healthcare services can all influence how pediatric illnesses develop, progress, and are treated. These social drivers of health play an increasingly important role in understanding disparities in pediatric acute illness and healthcare utilization.
In this webinar, Dr. Julia A. Heneghan will explore how social drivers of health affect pediatric acute care outcomes and healthcare experiences for children and families. Drawing from her clinical and research experience, she will discuss the ways in which structural and environmental factors can contribute to illness severity, emergency department utilization, hospitalization patterns, and barriers to timely care. The presentation will also examine how healthcare systems and public health approaches can better identify and address these challenges to improve pediatric health outcomes and support more equitable care delivery.
This webinar will be of interest to healthcare professionals, public health practitioners, researchers, policymakers, educators, community organizations, and others interested in child health equity and the broader social factors that influence pediatric healthcare outcomes.
Presenter Bio
Dr. Julia A. Heneghan is a physician and researcher at the University of Minnesota whose work focuses on pediatric health outcomes, healthcare delivery, and the impact of social and structural factors on child health. Her research examines how healthcare systems can better address disparities in pediatric care and improve outcomes for children and families through evidence-based and community-informed approaches.