Pediatric Advocacy: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

Oberg discusses the need for an effective pediatric advocacy. The reason that advocacy is so much embedded in the work of pediatrics is that children have little political voice of their own and rely on the proxy voice of others, including pediatricians to speak out on their behalf. The hope of pediatrics for the future is to improve the health and well-being of children, and relevant skills will be necessary, as health professionals attempt to address the pressing issues of persistent health disparities, inadequate access to health care, limited dental and mental health services, and the promotion of a medical home for all children.