Center for Policy, Outcomes & Prevention
CPOP was established in 2005 to provide a strong foundation for the development of a preeminent child health policy and prevention program in the United States. Its formation reflects the clear recognition that the future of child health will depend not only on technologic advances but also ensuring that these advances reach our poorest, most underserved communities. In addition, prevention will continue to become a critical area of child health research and intervention and strong national leadership in these areas is desperately needed.
CPOP’s research activities are directed to three general areas: prevention research, policy research and global child health research. These efforts have established Stanford and Packard Children’s as national leaders in “solution-oriented” prevention research and in the reduction of tragic inequalities in child health and well-being. Education initiatives are a primary aspect of CPOP, and have included development and growth of the School of Medicine’s Office of Community Health and Community Health Scholarly Concentration along with new university courses, CME and other teaching on child health policy, prevention and international health. The Packard/Stanford Pediatric Weight Control Program and Training Institute provide support and education to children and families, and prepare providers through certification.
In addition to Center Director Paul Wise, MD, MPH, CPOP faculty includes Associate Director Tom Robinson, MD, MPH, and Sarah Horowitz, PhD. Wise is working to identify ways programs and policies can be improved to better serve the needs of children and their families. Of special interest are ongoing efforts to analyze and improve services for children with chronic illness in California.
Wise also leads the Children in Crisis Project, a collaboration with the Freeman-Spogli Institute for International Studies at Stanford, directed at addressing the needs of children in areas of political instability, such as Guatemala and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Robinson, director of Packard Children’s Center for Healthy Weight, is focused on prevention – including obesity and unhealthy behaviors – improving lives now, and also recognizing that precursors to adult disease begin in childhood. Horowitz is focused on the quality, effectiveness and accessibility of mental health services for children.
