Whither Health Research

Abstract

Under Article 24 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (crc), children have the right to the highest attainable standard of health. One component of this right that has received little attention is the connection between children’s health and their participation in health-related research. This represents a missed opportunity in the full realisation of the right to health. This paper accordingly argues that Article 24 should obligate or incentivise State Parties to create more research opportunities for children in implementing this right. It explores the links between paediatric research and children’s health, highlighting the impacts of the lack of research on the paucity or absence of many treatment and prevention options for childhood diseases. It also considers the application of other rights which may be implicated in paediatric research. While paediatric health-related research is imperative, it must occur within a framework which respects all children’s rights.