American Academy of Pediatrics Announces 2018 National Conference & Exhibition in Orlando

American Academy of Pediatrics Announces 2018 National Conference & Exhibition in Orlando.

At conference Nov. 2-6, the nation's pediatricians will release policy statements on "Effective Discipline to Raise Healthy Children" and "The Effects of Armed Conflict on Children."

ORLANDO, Fla.—More than 11,000 pediatricians and healthcare professionals are expected to arrive in Orlando Nov. 2-6 for the 2018 American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) national conference.

The AAP National Conference & Exhibition takes place at the Orange County Convention Center, featuring special presentations and exhibits that highlight the latest medical evidence and discussions in pediatric medicine. Researchers will present hundreds of original research abstracts, with more than 350 sessions planned on topics such as marijuana, social media and teens, bullying, suicide, food allergies, substance use and soccer injuries.

"This is a great opportunity to share pediatric research and state-of-the-art technologies that improve child health care," said Jennifer Shu, MD, FAAP, chair of the 2018 conference Planning Group. "We are really excited about this year's programs and the partnerships that help us to advocate for all children."

At the conference, the AAP will release policy statements on effective discipline in children, and on the impact that armed conflict has on children.

Special events for journalists include:

• Newsworthy research presentations: 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 3.
  Authors of highlighted abstracts will present their research and be available for interviews on topics including children's recognition of toy guns vs. real guns; furniture-related injuries; violence in superhero movies; and misuse of antibiotics. Embargoed abstracts are available in advance to credentialed media.
• All embargoed abstracts are available in advance to credentialed media.
• News Conference on Effective Discipline: 9:30 a.m. Monday, Nov. 5. Robert Sege, MD, PhD, FAAP, and Jennifer Shu, MD, FAAP, will discuss discipline strategies work with kids – and those that don't, according to an updated policy to be released by AAP.
• News Conference on Armed Conflict and Children: 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 5. Jeffrey Goldhagen, MD, MPH, FAAP, will discuss the physical and psychological toll that armed conflict takes on children, and how, worldwide, the number of child fatalities are underreported. Julie Linton, MD, FAAP, will address the latest news at the U.S. border, where children continue to be detained after fleeing violence in central America.

Additional meeting highlights include:

• Keynote address: 11:40 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 3, Valencia Ballroom
  Adam Foss, JD, former assistant district attorney for the juvenile division in Boston, Mass., is an advocate for criminal justice reform who works to oppose mass incarceration. He founded Prosecutor Impact, a non-profit that develops training and curriculum to reframe the prosecutor's role in the criminal justice system.
• Lizzie Velasquez: Finding My Voice: 10:45 a.m. – 11:05 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 4, Valencia Ballroom
  Lizzie Velasquez was born with Neonatal Progeroid Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder which prevents her from accumulating body fat and gives her an aged appearance. She started an anti-bullying movement based on her own experiences.
• Vaping and Electronic Cigarettes – 10:30 a.m. – 10:50 a.m. Monday, Nov. 5, Valencia Ballroom
  Deepa Camenga, MD, FAAP, speaks on the mounting evidence that e-cigarettes, including the popular JUUL vaping products, pose dangers to children's health.

For information about covering the conference, including how to register, media guidelines, press room arrangements and meeting highlights, visit the AAP News Room or contact AAP Public Affairs at commun@aap.org or 630-626-6177. The on-site Press Office will be located at the Orange County Convention Center, Room W208AB. Reporters must check in at the Press Office to obtain media credentials. Embargoed news releases and abstracts are available by request.

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The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 67,000 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.