Investing in Maternal and Child Health

Healthy Pregnancy and Healthy

Children: Opportunities and

Challenges for Employers

4

This issue brief provides the business case for protecting and promoting child and adolescent health. It includes

an overview of children’s key health issues, information on the economic and workplace burden of children’s

illness, and important prevention opportunities. It also provides guidance on how employers can support

improved family health.

Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................................... 20

Child and Adolescent Illness and Injury: Direct and Indirect Costs for Employers ................................................ 20

Healthcare Costs

Workplace Burden

Family-Friendly Benefits

Child Health Promotion and Disease Prevention ........................................................................................................... 22

Well-Child Care

The Economic Benefit of Prevention and Early Detection

Children: Key Health Risks ................................................................................................................................................ 24

Vaccine Preventable Diseases

SIDS

Asthma

Upper Respiratory Infections

Injuries (Children and Adolescents)

Adolescents ............................................................................................................................................................................ 30

Well-Child Care for Adolescents

The Cost of Adolescent Health Problems

Adolescents: Key Health Risks .......................................................................................................................................... 31

Mental Health

Substance Use and Abuse

Obesity and Physical Activity

Unintended Pregnancy

Sexually Transmitted Infections

Children with Special Health Care Needs ....................................................................................................................... 39

Healthcare Costs

Unique Problems and Concerns

The Business Case for Work/Life Benefits

Employer Actions

Summary Points .................................................................................................................................................................... 43

The Business Case for Protecting and

Promoting Child and Adolescent Health