Principles for a Child-appropriate Disaster and Pandemic Response System

In anticipation of the release of legislative proposals by the HELP Committee, we have developed a set of principles that highlight what is needed in a national framework for disaster and pandemic response and preparedness to meet children’s unique health care needs. Our Principles for a Child-appropriate Disaster and Pandemic Response System emphasize the differences between the way health care delivery and support systems are structured for children compared with adults and are framed around key pillars that the committee is expected to address in their legislative package: public health and medical preparedness/response infrastructure; capacity to provide services to at-risk populations; research and development of clinical interventions; and supply chain.