All children are affected by exposures to environmental hazards. It is our responsibility as a society to enable all children to grow up in a safe and healthy environment.

Because all children are growing and developing, they are uniquely vulnerable to health effects caused by exposure to environmental hazards. The multitude of hazards facing children should be addressed in unison and placed within the context of a child’s life. A child’s physical environment is not separate from social and cultural issues. Solutions to environmental problems should be viewed within that context.

Many children live in communities that are disproportionately impacted by environmental exposures. Improving the health and environment of these children should be a major priority. Healthy children grow into healthy adults. The health of our children is one of the most important investments that we can make and should be among our top priorities. Many environmental hazards and pollution know no boundaries. The health of children worldwide is intrinsically linked to the health of our environment. International collaboration, whenever possible, should be sought and encouraged.

Solutions to complex environmental health problems require the efforts of affected communities and many disciplines including science, nursing, medicine, public health, economics, planning, law, and policy. Creative solutions should be reached through inter-disciplinary problem-solving and coalition building.