Our research activities center around developing and applying scientific knowledge that will promote health, improve health-related behaviors and outcomes, deliver quality care, and inform health policy decisions related to the health and well-being of children and youth. A particular focus is on using an evidence-based approach to improving the quality and outcomes of care for children and youth.

Research programs within ICHP are centered at multiple levels, including basic research exploring the etiology of health behaviors and health outcomes, formulation and evaluation of health promotion strategies and policies with health relevance, and the organization of health care systems. Our main thematic areas involve:

• Research related to health compromising and health promoting behaviors among youth;

• Investigation of social and physical environments and policy approaches to improve and protect health among youth;

• Community organizing, civic engagement and health literacy;

• Analysis of contextual and systemic factors that impact health care access, quality, utilization, and costs;

• Developing and evaluating innovative community-based systems of care;

• Quality of care, health care outcomes, and financing of care for children and youth, especially those with special health care needs; and

• Psycho-social, quality of life, and health-related outcomes associated with chronic illness, clinical treatments, and health care services.