The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has received support from several organizations to implement projects that address children's needs in disasters.
Disaster Outreach and Collaboration for Kids ProjectThe US Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, and the
National Library of Medicine provided support to the AAP and the University of Chicago at Illinois
Library of the Health Sciences to implement a
Disaster Outreach and Collaboration for Kids Project. The project encourages pediatricians and librarians to partner and improve disaster information sharing.
Enhancing Pediatric Partnerships to Promote Pandemic PreparednessAs follow-up to the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, the AAP and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (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. A Pediatric Preparedness Resource Kit is being developed for use by all AAP chapters and public health professionals.
Pediatric Anthrax Clinical GuidelinesThe AAP and the CDC are working to determine what should be addressed within clinical guidance for antimicrobial prophylaxis, treatment, and use of
anthrax antitoxins for infection with B. anthracis. In addition, an Anthrax Educational Planning Group is discussing how best to educate pediatricians on this topic.
Pediatric Bereavement Lectureship ProgramThe AAP and the National Center for School Crisis & Bereavement with support from the
New York Life Foundation are partnering to implement a Pediatric Bereavement Lectureship Program. This effort will offer training to pediatricians and other pediatric health care providers to increase their skills and effectiveness in supporting grieving children and their families.
Learn more.
Disaster Response and Recovery ProgramWith support from its
Friends of Children Fund, the AAP will convene a meeting to determine priorities on how to support children and their families when recovering from a disaster. As part of this, the AAP will assess the need (and mechanism) to enhance predisaster preparedness and just-in-time training in pediatric disaster mental and behavioral health for pediatricians and others who care for children.
Smallpox Clinical GuidelinesThe AAP is collaborating with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) to produce smallpox clinical practice guidelines to improve preparedness for a smallpox release, focusing on the general population and at-risk groups. These guidelines will consider the limited availability of medical resources and strategies to prepare for an emergency where efficient diagnosis/treatment and strategic use of resources are required to decrease morbidity and mortality.
