Washington, DC— The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) today praised the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for its appointment of additional pediatric experts to the National Biodefense Science Board (NBSB). The agency is expanding and prioritizing the importance of the pediatric perspective on its premier body of non-governmental experts tasked with providing advice and guidance on preventing, preparing for, and responding to adverse health effects of public health emergencies.

“Children are not just small adults; they have unique needs that must be addressed before, during and after a disaster strikes,” said AAP President Robert Block, MD, FAAP. “The United States needs to be prepared in advance for children’s physical and mental health needs, incorporate children in disaster drills and exercises, and ensure our first responders are adequately trained and equipped. The AAP has long-advocated for the inclusion of pediatric subject matter expertise into federal disaster preparedness planning.”

Daniel Fagbuyi, MD, FAAP, a member of the AAP Disaster Preparedness Advisory Council (DPAC) and medical director of the Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management at Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, DC, will continue to serve as a member of the NBSB. Joining him are Steven Krug, MD, FAAP, chair of DPAC and director of the Division of Emergency Medicine at Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago, and John Bradley, MD, FAAP, a member of AAP Section on Infectious Diseases and director of the Division of Infectious Diseases at Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego.

“The involvement of these three distinguished pediatricians on the NBSB moves us closer to the goal of fully including children in federal disaster preparedness planning,” said Dr. Block.

The NBSB was created under the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act (PAHPA) of 2006. As Congress works this year to reauthorize PAHPA and the NBSB, the bipartisan Senate bill (S. 1855) contains a requirement that a pediatric subject matter expert serve on the NBSB, a provision championed by the AAP. This legislation contains many new child-focused provisions, including a new emphasis on increasing the development and labeling of pediatric medical countermeasures at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Agency at HHS and an increased focus on the needs of children within grant programs authorized under PAHPA. The AAP strongly supports its passage.

“Disasters – natural or manmade – don’t discriminate: Everyone is at risk,” said Dr. Block. “The AAP commends HHS for expanding the pediatric expertise on the NBSB and looks forward to working with HHS and other federal agencies to ensure that the needs of children are adequately addressed before, during and after a disaster.”

The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 60,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults. For more information, visit www.aap.org.