Preventing Childhood Illnesses

Children’s hospitals lead the way with effective strategies to address behavioral, medical, dietary, and environmental drivers that impact child health.

Published July 17, 2025|
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Pediatric hospitals are helping children live longer, healthier lives through transformative programs and services that prioritize prevention, well-being, and resilience.

By addressing behavioral, medical, dietary, and environmental factors, children’s hospitals lead the way in developing interventions that protect our children from the effects of chronic childhood diseases.

Working together, we can address threats to children’s health and reverse trends related to chronic childhood diseases.

About Children's Hospital Association

Children’s Hospital Association is the national voice of more than 200 children’s hospitals, advancing child health through innovation in the quality, cost, and delivery of care.

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Environmental Drivers

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Expanding Children’s Access to Quality Asthma Care

A school-based program marks 30 years of asthma education, testing, and treatment for rural children.

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Creating Healthy School Environments

A children’s hospital collaborates with schools to ensure students have safe places to learn.

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Healthy Homes for Healthy Outcomes

How children’s hospitals can improve health outcomes by enhancing patients’ home environments.

Healthy Lifestyles

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Where Community Health Takes Root: A Garden that Nourishes Kids and Connections

A hospital’s garden is a living example of how health and community are deeply intertwined.

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Improving Kids’ Access to Fresh, Healthy Food

A children’s hospital study shows how prepackaged meal kits can address both food insecurity and obesity.

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Promoting Healthy Digital Media Habits Within Families

One pediatrician is leading research and program efforts to understand the challenges and benefits of digital media behaviors among families.

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Preventing Chronic Disease in Kids Through Lifestyle Change

A children’s hospital's free program teaches kids and families in the community how to create healthy habits.

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Playing for Prevention: A Goal for Health

Learn how one children’s hospital soccer league has welcomed more than 15,000 children and families to address childhood obesity and diabetes in their region.

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How Culinary Medicine Is Training Future Doctors

Program teaches resident physicians to prioritize prevention by helping patients make healthier choices.

Emotional Well-Being

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Supporting Infant Mental Health From Day One

A children’s hospital provides mental health services for babies and toddlers during one of the most formative periods of their lives.

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Initiative Helps Tweens Navigate Emotions

The Talk to Tweens program gives parents and teachers free tools to have conversations on mental health with middle school children.

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A Tangible Way to Prevent Youth Suicide

Sending handwritten notes to pediatric patients following a suicide attempt can reduce suicide rates.

Disease Prevention

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Timing and Texting Improve Vaccination Rates

A children’s hospital found convenience is key to increasing vaccinations among kids.

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Increasing Free Vaccination Access in Rural Counties

Arkansas Children’s helps pharmacies and schools become Vaccines for Children providers.

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2 Vans, 300 Schools, 7,000 Vaccines

Advocate Children’s Hospital delivers health care on the go to students.