All business leaders should be concerned with children's healthcare, R. Lawrence Moss, MD, the president and CEO of Nemours Children's Health System in Jacksonville, Fla., wrote in a white paper on child well-being and the economy.
"Children's health and well-being is everyone's business," Dr. Moss wrote. "By improving the health and well-being of children today, we will have a healthier population of adults in the future — helping to improve the healthcare system and strengthen the economy."
While children account for only about 7 percent of total medical care spending, they will become the entire adult population one day. Health interventions at earlier stages, he writes, are like buying low stocks and selling high: A low investment leads to a significant return on investment.
Children's hospitals are the ones who can take the lead on this initiative, Dr. Moss wrote.
"Children's hospitals and health systems possess the expertise, trusted relationships, and infrastructure to serve as the stewards of children's health," he said. "Acting as integrators, children's hospitals can systematically assess gaps and barriers to improved health, working in partnership with others in their communities, states, and even regions to address them."
Read the full report here.