Health Equity for Children with Disabilities

Abstract

Like all children, children with disabilities deserve the fair and just opportunity to be as healthy as possible. There are many barriers to optimal health for children with disabilities. Eliminating health disparities requires removing or minimizing the obstacles that keep children from being healthy. Because pediatric orthopaedic surgeons are often engaged in the clinical management of children with temporary or permanent disabilities, they are uniquely suited to advocate for inclusive orthopaedic care for all children regardless of their circumstances. Pediatric orthopaedic surgeons can promote health equity for children with disabilities by recognizing how ableist beliefs and actions negatively impact the clinical care of children with disabilities and can take action by addressing biases in their clinical practices and beyond. Key Concepts•Children with disabilities face discrimination in healthcare which put them at risk for worsening health disparities.•Health equity for children with disabilities is defined as the "fair and just opportunity to be as healthy as possible and thrive throughout their lives (e.g., from school to the workforce), without discrimination, and regardless of the circumstances in which they were born or live," according to the Maternal and Child Health Bureau's Blueprint for Change.•Orthopaedic surgeons can promote health equity in their practices by fostering an inclusive clinical environment, employing sensitivity in communication, checking and addressing personal biases, seeking practice-level changes, and engaging with the disability community to better understand their lived expertise.

Figure 1

The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF).

Figure 2

Equality, Equity, and Justice.