Environment and child well-being: A scoping review of reviews to guide policies

Abstract

Background: Acting on social determinants is the most effective, efficient, and fairest strategy to improve population health and health equity. Because of their vulnerability and dependence, children are particularly exposed to the deleterious effects of their living environment. Taking these issues into account in the development of public policies and identifying levers for action are crucial. The objective of this scoping review of reviews is to identify the main environmental determinants on children’s health and development, and their mechanisms of effect, to be addressed by public policies. Methods: We conducted a scoping review of reviews in accordance with the method developed by Arksey and O’Malley, and Levac and colleagues’ methodology advancement and the PRISMA guideline. Inclusion criteria were identified with the PICos (population-phenomena of interest-context-study design) framework. We used the PubMed database and conducted a thematic analyze. Results: Forty-seven articles were selected. Their analysis allowed us to identify five categories of interdependent environmental determinants of child health: i) urban design ii) contaminants, iii) parenting environment, iv) social conditions, v) climate change. Together and in a systemic way, they act on the health of the child. Conclusion: The review carried out allows us to propose a pragmatic framework for clarifying the effects of the physical, social, and economic environment on children’s health and wellbeing.