ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the distal systems, exo-and-macro that influence individual, family and community health and the resources that can be accessed for resilience building. A socioecological model that emphasizes the critically relevant context in which children develop and the cultural elements that impact them is described. The authors present relevant exosystem and macrosystem examples to illustrate their stance that prevention of adversity and stress is accomplished via school systems, workplaces, legal systems and policies that protect and support the population in an equitable manner. The importance of medical systems that are designed to support the health care professional is emphasized and examples regarding how these designs can be implemented are offered. Finally, the authors advocate for broad strategic thinking about human potential and systemic approaches, including policy decisions that produce linkages from the distal to the proximal, which can serve to transform the culture into one that offers equal opportunity and health protection for all its citizens.
