Child Health in a Changing Society

Produced by the British Paediatric Association in its Diamond Jubilee year, this book examines some of the problems associated with child health. It recognizes that disease, diet, environment and lifestyle are very important not only because of the effect that they can have in the early years of life, but also because they may determine the state of physical and mental health throughout adulthood as well. Childhood is crucial period for many reasons: hereditary diseases or genetic disorders usually reveal themselves in childhood; certain diseases which were once fatal now give rise to long-term handicap; and many diseases can now be prevented or more effectively treated. The book also covers the emotional stresses which may act upon a child in its pre-school and school years as well as the child's inexperience and lack of understanding which may result in a proneness to accidents.