Health and Wellbeing in Childhood

Inequities in children’s health and wellbeing represent a ‘wicked problem’ that is the focus of much international attention. These inequities are a ‘wicked problem’ because of the complexity of underlying causes and contributing factors identified in this chapter as the social determinants of health. Social determinants arise not only out of individual neurobiology/physiology differences, but from the world around children impacting not only directly on them, but on their parents (and even their grandparents). Attempts to address these issues to create a more socially just society need to be complex and sophisticated. Early childhood educators play a significant role in contributing to these initiatives.