MemorialCare’s Focus on Pediatric Health Results in Healthier Futures Tomorrow

MemorialCare believes a solid “population health” strategy should start in childhood

The term “population health” might not be widely used, but it’s a key driver and area of focus in healthcare, considering the shifting healthcare landscape. The concept of focusing only on people once they are sick and need hospitalization implies that people are being reached too late — when their health is already at risk.

What if, instead, health education was a focus for kids as young as toddlers and their parents — then healthy habits and behaviors would continue into adulthood. Rather than waiting to help people manage their condition when they’re already sick, let’s shift to health and wellness instead.

“Population health is simply defined as the health outcomes of a group of individuals, instead of one person at a time,” explains Tanya Dansky, M.D., pediatrician and senior medical director, MemorialCare Medical Group. “The path to lifelong wellbeing begins in childhood. If we can influence the health of our population early, it is far more effective and less costly than treating health issues later.”

MemorialCare is uniquely situated to influence the health of children from common to complex, with the backing of MemorialCare Medical Group its primary care division, Greater Newport Physicians (MemorialCare’s IPA), and MemorialCare Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach. In addition, MemorialCare partners closely with independent physicians across the region to ensure coordinated, collaborative care.

MemorialCare Medical Group includes primary care office locations from South Orange County to Long Beach to Torrance — with pediatricians and family practice physicians who have completed additional training specifically in pediatrics. These primary care settings become a medical home for children and their families to ensure wellness goals are met.

“If we can ensure that kids see their pediatrician regularly and influence their health decisions and discovery at a young age and give parents the support and tools they need to teach their children healthy habits at home — we all win,” explains Dr. Dansky. “If we can help the parents of a toddler instill healthy eating and physical activity routines into their family, we can help to prevent obesity and type 2 diabetes when these tiny patients become adults.”

Some children are born with complex or chronic conditions at birth, such as a child with type 1 diabetes or Cystic Fibrosis. This is where MemorialCare Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital comes in, one of just eight full-service children’s hospitals in California .

“Similar to how MemorialCare Medical Group and our local independent pediatricians serve as medical homes for their patients, we can provide that same support for kids who have a serious or complex health condition — the Miller Children’s Outpatient Services at the Children’s Village becomes part of their medical home,” says Graham Tse, M.D., chief medical officer, Miller Children’s & Women’s. “As a children’s hospital, our goal is to keep kids with chronic and complex conditions out of the hospital as much as possible and help them learn how to effectively manage their disease.”

Children’s hospitals are known for their advocacy efforts for children and parents and pave the way for future vaccines and trials through collaborations and cooperatives across the nation. Locally though, children’s hospitals play a huge role being a regional “safety net” for a child who is facing serious disease. Pediatric specialists and subspecialists are on hand 24/7 to ensure that a child receives specialized care should they need it.

“Many people don’t understand that if your child breaks a bone while they are still growing, you want trained pediatric orthopedic surgeons to repair it to avoid potential complications not experienced in adults,” explains Dr. Tse. “These specialists received additional training that a general orthopedist may not come across as frequently and therefore don’t have the same experience. Children are not little adults.” Every child is unique, and their healthcare should be too. Starting their health awareness early leads to a healthier future tomorrow.