This month, the World Health Organization (WHO) is publishing the first ever internationally agreed upon system for assessing the health of youth and children within the context of both their stages of development and the environments they live in. Detailed descriptions of health standards using environment and position on the developmental continuum have long been the norm for adults. The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health for Children and Youth (ICF-CY), as the assessment will be known, now confirms the importance of using the same methods for children.
Learning From the Past
Children grow rapidly in the first 2 decades of life. Previous methods of health assessments have not accurately captured this important time in childhood health and development. Methods such as Milestone charts, Growth Charts, and BMI have had very limited use in terms of providing the “big picture″ for a child’s overall health and well being. In addition, previous developmental assessments have not taken into account a child’s living situation, ethnic diversity, environmental factors, or activity level. The new ICF-CY provides a coding system for many environmental factors that may restrict or allow children to function in every day activities, as well as hundreds of bodily functions and structures.
Looking Toward the Future
The goal of the ICF-CY is to provide a brighter, healthier future for children’s health across the globe by accurately pinpointing the areas where assistance and policy change are needed. Up until now there has not been a tool for measuring developmental delays nor has there been a way to compare the health status of children all over the world. For example, children who are malnourished may experience developmental delays but that correlation has yet to been defined. This new means of assessment will provide a direct correlation to the cause of the developmental delay so that proper health care can be provided. The ICF-CY also measures children who develop at their own pace, allowing for health providers and educators to provide a tailored health and education plan for them.
Growing at Home
For the first time ever, the world will have a universal language with which to identify the needs of children including health, social services, and education. On a more local level, charting child development is an important aspect of parenting. Along with regular check-ups with your physician, keeping on eye on how your child grows and learns is equally important. Parents are typically the first to notice if their child has a problem. A study by Vanderbilt University took a look at parental concerns versus developmental problems. The children of 96 families were screened for articulation, language, fine motor skills, and global development. Ninety-four percent of parents who had no concerns for their child’s development had children who passed the screening, while 80% of the parents whose children did have developmental delays suspected so prior to the screening.
When will we see it?
The ICF-CY has just been launched in Venice to international praise. This new assessment method will be working its way around the world throughout the upcoming year. At this time, it is unclear when it will be initiated in the United States. Until then, we are at least provided with a little more hope for the future of our children.
Tags: baby health
