American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) disaster preparedness information follows.
AAP Disaster Preparedness Advisory CouncilThe AAP Board of Directors identified "disaster preparedness" as a strategic health priority in 2006 and established a
Disaster Preparedness Advisory Council (DPAC) in May 2007. The DPAC meets on a bi-annual basis and provides guidance and oversight to AAP leaders on disaster preparedness and response.
Advocacy and PolicyThe AAP is deeply involved in efforts to ensure that children's needs are incorporated into disaster preparedness and response efforts at all levels of government. See the
Advocacy and Related Efforts page for more information.
Contact NetworkThe AAP has established a Disaster Preparedness Contact Network. To learn more or view recent newsletter, see the
Contact Network page.
Enhancing Pediatric Partnerships to Promote Pandemic PreparednessAs follow-up to the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, the AAP and CDC convened a collaborative meeting in 2011 to discuss state-level pediatric preparedness. The meeting, "
Enhancing Pediatric Partnerships to Promote Pandemic Preparedness", included state teams with a blend of pediatric and public health leaders. The AAP is in the process of developing a resource kit to support all Chapters and public health leaders in improving pediatric preparedness.
Pediatric CountermeasuresThe AAP is developing a pediatric countermeasures agenda, including a list of pediatric countermeasures. See
testimony by AAP members.
Pediatric Office PreparednessThe DPAC has created a compilation of resources to help pediatric office practices develop a written disaster preparedness plan or engage in other community planning efforts. For more information, see the
Pediatric Practice page or access the
Disaster Preparedness for Pediatric Practices online planning tool.
PublicationsBelow are publications written by DPAC members or other AAP leaders.
- "AAP calls attention to unique needs of children in anthrax attack", an article in the January 2012 issue of AAP News.
- "AAP Urges Congress to Focus on Children in Disaster Planning," an article in the September 2011 issue of AAP News.
- "Katrina's Legacy," an article in the August 2011 issue of AAP News, summarizes progress in disaster planning since Hurricane Katrina.
- "Hurricane Katrina's Children," a supplement to the August 2011 issue of Pediatrics, offers articles by pediatric colleagues who were on-call or who provided care to children impacted by the storms in 2005. In "Hurricane Katrina's Children," those who provided their initial stories for "Hurricane Katrina, Children and Pediatric Heroes," a supplement to the May 2006 issue of Pediatrics, now document how their patients are coping and offer compelling stories of how their lives are still impacted by these events.
- Are We There Yet? Progress Continues in Meeting Children's Need in Disasters – AAP President O. Marion Burton, MD, FAAP. (AAP News, May 2011)
- From Hurricanes to Pandemics: Council Prepares for the Worst in Hopes of the Best Possible Results (AAP News, July 2010)
- Disaster Preparedness and Pediatrics: What’s Next and The Youngest Victims: Disaster Preparedness to Meet Children’s Needs – Gary Q. Peck, MD, FAAP. (Pediatrics in Review, November 2008)
- Private Practice After Hurricane Katrina: Proposal for Recovery – Scott Needle, MD, FAAP. (Pediatrics, October 2008)
- Picking up the Pieces: What to do in the Occurrence of Life’s Disasters – Gary Q. Peck, MD, FAAP. (peds Journal, Spring 2008)
State AAP ChaptersDisasters are managed locally, and the AAP has compiled information and strategies for pediatricians and pediatric leaders. For information on state-specific initiatives, refer to the
State Initiatives and
Chapter Ideas pages.
For more information, e-mail
DisasterReady@aap.org or call 847/434-7132.
