Families and health in the urban environment. Implications for health programs, research and policy

Abstract

In this article the strong evidence of the influence of the family on the health of its members is analyzed to reinforce the potential of family-based intervention programs. How definitions of family and health affect research and programs is examined. The characteristics of successful research and intervention programs for families are analyzed. Reports of health programs and research are used to demonstrate the complexity of issues facing urban families and to explicate the process for developing effective family-based intervention programs. The isolation among agencies and disciplines is noted, and the potential benefits of linking the complementary components of the personal health and public health paradigms are discussed. Directions are provided for the formation of policy-relevant, comprehensive, interdisciplinary family-based programs to improve the health outcomes and sustain programs for urban children and their families.