The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) addresses all issues affecting child health, but it’s putting extra focus on three urgent challenges. Together with our program partners and funders, the AAP is working to make a meaningful, long-term impact on kids’ health, today and long into the future.
Children and teens need equitable access to a full range of mental health services to buffer the impacts of adversity, trauma, and toxic stress. Pediatricians can play a crucial role and are often the only doctor who sees a young patient with mental health concerns.
Ultimately, the AAP will provide training on children’s mental health needs to 45,000 pediatricians who together provide care to more than 45 million children.
The most important factor that leads to parents vaccinating their children remains one-on-one contact with their pediatrician. In fact, parents consider pediatricians the most trusted source of information on vaccines, according to a recent KFF/Washington post poll. The AAP and its members are uniquely positioned to restore vaccine confidence and protect the lives and health of children and their families.
In 2025, the AAP launched a multiyear, multiplatform childhood vaccination communications campaign with a coalition of partner organizations and pediatricians. The goal: to return the kindergarten vaccination rate to 95% and restore community immunity to measles.
Academy members envision a future when every child experiences equitable, affirming health care. Pediatricians and subspecialists will be trained to deliver care to children based on inclusive, evidence-based policies and guidelines, actively opposing intolerance, bigotry, bias and discrimination. And new pathways for pediatric residents and leaders will be created for groups that are underrepresented in medicine.
The AAP will lead a transformation in patient care that addresses the gaps and inequities children experience in hospitals, clinics, and beyond. With the commitment of its leadership and staff and in collaboration with its partners, the AAP will continue to lead the way to attaining optimal physical, mental, and social health and well-being for all infants, children, adolescents and young adults.
The American Academy of Pediatrics represents 67,000 pediatricians working to make sure every child has the chance to grow up healthy. We've been at it for 95 years—training doctors, shaping health policy, and speaking up for kids and families.
To learn more about our big bets, contact us.
01/28/2026
American Academy of Pediatrics