Presentation – CVC2026-604

Children’s insights about health and healthcare can advance health equity for children with disabilities across the world

Sharynne McLeod, Children’s Voices Centre, Charles Sturt University, Australia

Carolyn Gregoric, Children’s Voices Centre, Charles Sturt University, Australia

Helen L. Blake, Charles Sturt University, Australia

Belinda Downey, Charles Sturt University, Australia

Kathy Cologon, Children’s Voices Centre, Charles Sturt University, Australia

Katharine Freire, Charles Sturt University, Australia

Tamara Cumming, Children’s Voices Centre, Charles Sturt University, Australia

Kathryn Crowe, University of Iceland, Iceland

Mélanie Gréaux, World Health Organization, Switzerland

Background: This research was informed by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child to promote children’s health (Articles 23, 24, 25) and children’s communication rights to receive and impart information and ideas regardless of frontiers (Articles 12, 13).

Aim: The aim of this study was to undertake research to understand children’s perspectives about health and access to healthcare, particularly for children with disabilities. Child-focused participatory action research was employed where children co-created the research, were research participants, and analysed the research.

Method: Institutional ethical approval, parent consent, and child assent were obtained.

(a) 24 children co-designed the following questions: "What makes you healthy?" "Who helps you be healthy?" "Where do you go to get healthier?" "What would your ideal hospital or health service look like?"

(b) 126 artworks were submitted by children from 18 countries, including 60 drawings by children with disabilities or health conditions.

(d) Eight children created an advocacy presentation

Results/findings: Children (n=126), including those with disabilities, felt happy about their health (82.54%) and healthcare (72.22%). Having a healthy body and mind involved: “food, friends, doctors, rainbows, hospitals, abilities, workout and sports, energy, and stuff”. Children with disabilities focused more on hospitals and doctors and were less likely to include friends, grandparents, animals, nature, supermarkets, and vegetable gardens to keep them healthy. The co-researchers indicated they had been given space, voice, audience, and influence.

Conclusion: Three areas of policy action were proposed at World Health Organization meetings in Geneva and Fiji: (a) Promote child-friendly practices across healthcare, (b) Enable co-creation of child-friendly services and environments with children with disabilities and families, (c) Train healthcare workers in communication strategies that are appropriate to different ages and capacities.

Implications for children and families: Children’s artworks and insights can be viewed in the Children Draw Health Global Online Galleries: https://www.csu.edu.au/research/childrens-voices-centre/research/childrens-voices.

Implications for practitioners: Children can contribute expertise to the development and implementation of policies and practices relating to healthcare.

Funding: This research was supported by Charles Sturt University’s Children’s Voices Centre

Keywords: health, children’s voice, children’s advisory group

This presentation relates to the following United Nations Sustainable Development Goals:

Rahda (9 years), from Australia, drew this picture for our Children Draw Health Global Online Gallery and said: “My mum giving me an apple.”