Children with complex chronic conditions; a neglected group in public policy decisions? Lessons learned from the pandemic in the UK and US context

Children with complex chronic conditions require care from a combination of different services and systems of care (e.g, health care, social services, education, etc) and are particularly vulnerable to public health interventions that may be introduced as a result of a pandemic.

The UK and the US have two distinct health systems shaped and driven by different social and political values. Despite differences in service delivery and pandemic impacts, challenges in meeting complex needs of children with chronic conditions are common across health and care systems. These challenges raise crucial but overlooked questions about health justice, such as: What are the responsibilities of the state and related public bodies towards this group? How should decisions be made about changes in service delivery, and what values and processes should inform these decisions? How can longstanding health inequalities, and prior disadvantages be avoided? How can children with complex chronic conditions and their families be treated fairly in situations where their needs cannot be fully met?

Viewed through the lens of "health justice," this panel will discuss the ethical, practical, and systemic challenges associated with caring for children with complex chronic conditions , both in normal circumstances and during emergencies. The panel will also explore the idea of a new policy engagement model that could eliminate systemic weaknesses in meeting these children's complex needs and inform more efficient and fair decisions about their care in the future.