Patterns of illness in American children have changed dramatically in this century. The
ancient infectious diseases have largely been controlled. The major diseases confronting
children now are chronic and disabling conditions termed the" new pediatric morbidity"--
asthma mortality has doubled; leukemia and brain cancer have increased in incidence;
neurodevelopmental dysfunction is widespread; hypospadias incidence has doubled.
Chemical toxicants in the environment as well as poverty, racism, and inequitable access to …