Pediatrics
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The California Endowment's Healthy Eating, Active Communities program was designed to reduce disparities in the incidence of obesity by improving food and physical-activity environments for low-income children. It was recognized at the outset that to succeed, the program needed support from community advocates. Health care providers can be effective advocates to mobilize community members and influence policy makers. ⋯ Providers perceived that changing the food and physical-activity environments in neighborhoods and schools was likely to be the most effective way to support their clinical obesity-prevention efforts. Health care providers need time, training, resources, and institutional support to improve their ability to communicate obesity-prevention messages in both clinical practice and as community policy advocates.
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Drinking water for approximately one sixth of US households is obtained from private wells. These wells can become contaminated by pollutant chemicals or pathogenic organisms and cause illness. Although the US Environmental Protection Agency and all states offer guidance for construction, maintenance, and testing of private wells, there is little regulation. ⋯ Children may also drink well water at child care or when traveling. Illness resulting from children's ingestion of contaminated water can be severe. This policy statement provides recommendations for inspection, testing, and remediation for wells providing drinking water for children.