Subcategories

• AAP Policy

  Pediatricians have long believed that they can play a powerful role in creating lasting and meaningful change for the patients they serve. In fact, the AAP was founded by pediatricians to help ensure that patient advocacy remains a priority for the profession. What makes the profession of pediatrics unique is its commitment to not only treat sick and injured children in the professional setting, but also to work systemically to change the environment that contributes to children's illnesses and injuries through prevention efforts. Through their advocacy efforts at the individual, community, state, or federal level, pediatricians can move from treating one patient at a time to being part of a broader network of advocates that works systematically. To accomplish this type of systemic change, pediatricians must use their voices to speak up on behalf of children at the community and legislative/public policy levels. As more pediatricians become actively involved in advocacy, decision-makers and community leaders will better understand that pediatricians have expertise in child health policy issues. The AAP believes that pediatricians have the power and credibility to help create new community norms and public policies that work on behalf of infants, children, adolescents, and young adults.

• Federal Advocacy

  The Washington, DC office of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has been the Academy's voice on federal issues impacting children and pediatricians for more than four decades. The Washington Office houses the Department of Federal Affairs, which works with AAP members to advance key child health priorities through lobbying Congress, building coalitions and raising public awareness. Visit the Federal Advocacy page for more information on how the AAP works to prioritize children's health on the national policy agenda.

• State Advocacy

  The American Academy of Pediatrics believes that the law ought to protect the health and well-being of children just as arduously as pediatricians do. When state legislators assemble, children's issues deserve the same consideration as other matters. The Division of State Government Affairs provides consultation and strategic guidance to AAP chapters and members engaged in advocacy efforts on behalf of child health and pediatric practice. Division staff monitor legislation related to pediatrics in all states and alert chapters to important legislative developments. The division keeps chapter leaders, executive directors, and lobbyists in-tune with the latest state pediatric advocacy issues and news about actions by state governments

• Community Advocacy

  Many of the major threats to children’s health today cannot be addressed adequately in the clinical setting alone. Community advocacy takes into consideration the environmental and social factors influencing child health, such as exposure to violence, safe places to play, poverty, child abuse, and access to healthy foods. Pediatricians and other child advocates work with community partners to address these issues.