Affiliation:
1. Department of Pediatrics University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus Aurora Colorado USA
2. Division of General Pediatrics Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Baltimore Maryland USA
3. Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Philadelphia Pennsylvania USA
4. The Ballmer Institute University of Oregon Portland Oregon USA
5. Division of Pulmonary Medicine Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School Boston Massachusetts USA
6. Division of Pediatric Pulmonology University of Miami Miami Florida USA
7. Division of Practice Advancement and Clinical Education University of North Carolina Eshelman School of Pharmacy Chapel Hill North Carolina USA
8. Department of Pediatrics University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill North Carolina USA
Abstract
AbstractBackground and ObjectivesThe lung and sleep health of adults is heavily influenced by early factors, both genetic and environmental; therefore, optimizing respiratory health begins in childhood. Multiple barriers impede improvements in lung and sleep health for children. First, the traditional siloing between general pediatric care in the community, pediatric pulmonary and sleep subspecialty care, and the research community limits the translation of knowledge into practice. Additionally, identifying and addressing health disparities remains a challenge. The 2021 NHLBI‐sponsored workshop “Defining and Promoting Pediatric Pulmonary Health (DAP3H)” was a first step in defining critical gaps in our current healthcare system in identifying and optimizing lung and sleep health in children. The workshop identified key opportunities including measuring pulmonary function in young children, sleep‐focused outcomes, developing biomarkers, and longitudinal research cohorts. To expand on the work of DAP3H and continue initiatives to improve childhood lung and sleep health, the Pediatrics & Pulmonary Network: Improving Health Together conference was held in 2023.Study DesignA modified Delphi process was applied to form consensus surrounding gaps, barriers, and action items, with the goal of identifying the most urgent opportnities for improving childhood lung and sleep health.ResultsCross‐cutting foundational principles were identified as: (1) Authentic Stakeholder Collaboration & Engagement, (2) Reach & Implementation in Real World Settings, (3) Understanding Current Landscape & Resources and (4) Purposeful Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Initiatives.ConclusionsTo improve lung and sleep health in children, these principles should be the foundation for research design, development, and implementation.