Community Social Pediatrics in an Underserved Canadian City: Design and Early Outcomes of an Exploratory Pilot Study

Background: In Saint John, New Brunswick, nearly 1 in 3 children live in poverty, and the traditional pediatric care model is often ill-equipped to address the complex social realities that children experience. Community Social Pediatrics (CSP) is an interdisciplinary model that integrates health and social care, with a strong focus on children’s rights and social determinants of health. In response to increasing gaps and challenges in accessing care, a CSP-based pilot clinic was established in Saint John. The goal was to create a collaborative, child- and family-centred assessment model designed to reduce service fragmentation and improve outcomes. Methods: This paper outlines the rationale for the pilot, the design of the new clinic, and key early findings from a pre–post cohort study involving 26 children and families. Results: Significant reductions were observed in child–caregiver conflicts and behavioural challenges, while caregivers reported improved communication with healthcare providers and fewer access barriers. Conclusions: These early exploratory results suggest that CSP offers a promising care model, particularly in communities where children are at risk for being underserved by the current system. Broader adoption of CSP in Canada could meaningfully reduce health disparities, support family well-being, and lay the foundation for stronger community health outcomes over time.