AAP Facts

AAP Facts

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The mission of the American Academy of Pediatrics is to attain optimal physical, mental, and social health and well-being for all infants, children, adolescents and young adults. To accomplish this, AAP shall support the professional needs of its members.

  • Membership

    The AAP is a professional membership organization of 62,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical sub-specialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety, and well being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults. The FAAP designation after a pediatrician's name stands for Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Pediatricians who maintain their FAAP designation have obtained initial board certification.

  • AAP Strategic Plan: Agenda for Children

    All priorities in the Agenda for Children have strong affinity with the mission, core values, and vision of the AAP. Certain issues impact the organization at a higher strategic level and have a very strong bond with the core values of the AAP.

  • Policy and Clinical Guidance

    AAP recommendations form the basis of pediatric preventive health care. The AAP issues policy statements, clinical reports, technical reports and practice guidelines on a broad range of topics. The AAP collaborates with two other organizations to produce the annual recommended immunization schedules for children and adolescents used by schools, public health agencies and pediatricians.

  • Advocacy

    The AAP advocates for access to health care for all children, adolescents and young adults. The AAP believes that each child should have a “medical home”—a model of health care where care is accessible, family-centered, continuous, comprehensive, coordinated, compassionate and culturally effective. The AAP works with government, communities and other national organizations to shape many child health and safety issues.

  • Community-based Initiatives

    The AAP works with community-based organizations on many programs and grant-funded projects. For example, the Community Access To Child Health (CATCH) Program supports pediatricians involved in community-based efforts for children. The Healthy Tomorrows Partnership for Children Program is a cooperative agreement between the federal Maternal and Child Health Bureau and the AAP, with federal grants awarded to support community-based projects that improve access to health services for mothers, infants, children and adolescents.

  • Research

    The AAP is home to several long-term research programs to enhance the delivery of health care to children. The Pediatric Research in Office Settings program conducts studies using a network of 1,800 pediatricians working in office-based practices and is one of the longest-running research programs in the U.S.

  • Publications

    The AAP has the largest pediatric publishing program in the world, with more than 300 titles for consumers and over 500 for physicians and other health care professionals. The AAP publishes scientific journals, continuing education periodicals, a membership news magazine and manuals on topics such as infectious diseases and school health.

  • Member Education

    Ongoing education of pediatricians is a cornerstone of promoting optimal care for children. Continuing medical education (CME) is a major activity of the AAP. Member pediatricians may participate in a variety of formats, including live, print and online activities. CME activities are searchable and available through PediaLink, the AAP’s online center for lifelong learning.

  • Public Education

    The AAP produces numerous patient education brochures and a series of child care books. In 2009 the AAP launched a parent-oriented Web site, HealthyChildren.org, which offers up-to-date health advice for parents and caregivers. The AAP works extensively with the media and carries out public information campaigns to ensure that timely, accurate messages and information reach families and professionals.

  • AAP History

    The AAP was founded in 1930 by 35 pediatricians to serve as an independent forum to address children’s health needs. At that time, the idea that children had unique developmental and health needs was new. Practices that are now standard preventive care (i.e., immunization, regular health exams) were only just beginning to change the custom of treating children as “miniature adults.” The Academy also maintains the Pediatric History Center, which collects and archives materials related to the history of pediatrics in the United States and Canada and the history of the Academy itself.

  • Funding

    The AAP’s activities and programs are funded through a wide array of sources including membership dues, revenues from continuing medical education activities and publications, and unrestricted grants from individuals, foundations, corporations and government agencies. Grants and contributions support more than 200 programs each year.

  • AAP Awards

    The AAP recognizes professionals who make a difference in pediatrics.