The built environment and children's health

The built environment embraces a wide range of concepts, from the design an d integrity of housing, to land-use urban planning. A high-quality environm ent is essential for children to achieve optimal health and development. Bu ilding and land-use policies, including the quality and design of a child's physical environment, can cause or prevent illness, disability, and injury , and can degrade or preserve natural resources. Though many common pediatr ic conditions such as obesity, asthma, and lead poisoning, as well as injur ies, are associated with risk factors within a child's built environment, t his issue has received little attention from researchers or policymakers. T his new field is ripe for etiologic and prevention research, and we need pe diatric advocates to speak out for children's needs within this arena.