In Support of a Public Health Approach to Late Talking

Abstract

Purpose: This article aims to support and extend Di Sante and Potvin's (2022) viewpoint, “We Need to Talk About Social Inequalities in Language Development,” by providing additional detail on a proposed public health approach to language development and late talking specifically. A public health approach can be a model for the field of speech-language pathology to improve child language across social gradients and reduce inequities in late talking. Method: A public health approach is defined and compared to the clinical approach. A proposal for how a public health approach could be applied to address inequities in late talking is described. Conclusions: A public health approach merits consideration by leaders and institutions in the field of speech-language pathology. This approach draws attention to the role of social determinants of language development and the need to address structures and systems that not only support clinical intervention to address disorders but also that focus on prevention of late talking and promotion of healthy language development. A public health approach requires engaging stakeholders outside the field of speech-language pathology, thus strengthening opportunities for progress.