Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and Its Impact on Enhancing Pediatric Treatment Adherence

Chronic illnesses affect one in four children in the United States, equating to fifteen to eighteen million children, according to epidemiologic studies. Navigating medication adherence is among the numerous challenges that these illnesses pose to children and their families. The ability to successfully adhere to these treatments can be defined as “self-management” and is influenced by factors within four domains: individual, family, community, and health-based systems. In minoritized populations, additional considerations, including perception of illness, perceived discrimination, and language barriers are relevant to self-management behaviors. In this chapter we present the strategies that address factors within pertinent domains affecting nonadherence, particularly those prevalent in minoritized youth and their families. In doing so, we stress solutions that accommodate children of different age groups, incorporate parental and guardian perspectives, and foster alliances between healthcare providers and families.