AAP Statement on Make Our Children Healthy Again Report

By: Susan J. Kressly, MD, FAAP, president, American Academy of Pediatrics 

“Pediatricians are dedicated to the health and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults. The release of today’s Make Our Children Healthy Again report reminds us that improving the health of children is complex and requires coordinated support at local, state and federal levels, including education, awareness, policy and funding.  

“The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) welcomes opportunities to add pediatric expertise and research to help guide actions toward meaningful and sustainable improvements in child health. Although the report touches on some of these areas, it lacks details on how the Administration plans to address those issues and omits key drivers that harm children’s health, including gun violence and environmental hazards. 

“We also cannot ignore the fact that this report is being published in the context of other recent harmful actions by the Administration and Congress that undermine many of the report’s recommendations. We know that to make children healthy and help them thrive, they need safe, stable and nurturing families, communities, relationships and environments. 

This administration’s unprecedented cuts to Medicaid and SNAP, along with its chaotic, confusing actions restricting vaccine access are worsening – not resolving—efforts to improve children’s health. 

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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.