Everything New Parents Need to Know About The American Academy of Pediatrics
Every child matters. The AAP is dedicated to the overall health of all children with 67,000 pediatricians working together for the common good.
“There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children.”
– Nelson Mandela
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is an organization of pediatric professionals committed to the optimal physical, mental, and social health and well-being of infants, children, adolescents, and young adults. They fulfil this mandate by mobilizing and engaging passionate individuals and volunteers through various member groups. As a leading authority on pediatric healthcare, the AAP holds its members to the highest standards of practice.
Why did the AAP begin?
In 1930, 35 pediatricians teamed up at Harper Hospital in Detroit to lay the groundwork for the AAP and adopt a constitution and bylaws to advance child health. In 2020, the Academy therefore celebrates its 90th year of existence.
Over the past nine decades, the AAP has grown exponentially, often going to great lengths to support, advocate and educate with continuing medical education (CME) programs for pediatricians and sub-specialists. As an internationally recognized body of professionals, the AAP now boasts 14 departments and 26 divisions that assist with carrying out its mission.
What does the AAP do?
As part of the AAP, several councils, sections and committees exist where child-health policies and programs are put in place and members make the most of opportunities for networking, leadership and advocacy. This creates a space for accountability, quality care and advocacy for those who need it most in society.
Over the years, the Academy has also published hundreds of policy statements, ranging from advocacy issues to practice guidelines. You can find out more about AAP advocacy and policies here.
The APP also manages a variety of health initiatives and community programs throughout the USA. Some of these programs relate to school and childcare, prevention projects, immigrant child health, environmental health, mental health and so much more. Many communities rely on the resources and expertise of the AAP to make informed decisions to impact the wellbeing of children.
The AAP also has the biggest pediatric publishing program globally, with hundreds of publications aimed at consumers and healthcare practitioners. As the official journal of the AAP, Pediatrics® is the world’s leading pediatrics resource and the most-cited journal in pediatric medicine. As a global resource, this journal is also among the top 100 most-cited journals in all of science and medicine.
The history of pediatric medicine
The Academy also holds historical significance in the development and evolution of child medicine in the world today. The Pediatric Artifact Collection was started back in 1973 and now holds over 1,500 artifacts related to the history and evolution of infant nutrition, childcare, and pediatric medicine.
The AAP’s Gartner Pediatric History Center also houses several Special Collections related to child health. These resources include administrative records, books, manuscripts, personal papers, illustrations, laboratory notes, slides and photographs. A wealth of medical knowledge can be found here – as the AAP becomes a historical resource for child health to influence and impact the future of pediatrics globally.
How AAP shapes pediatric healthcare
The AAP recognizes various societal trends shaping the world of pediatric healthcare. With these trends in mind, they aim to develop a forward-looking approach to help shape the future of child healthcare in the world
As highlighted below, some of these trends include a need for greater mental and behavioral healthcare; the creation of racial and ethnic diversity in the patient population; and evolving concerns and focus on social and environmental determinants of health today.
The AAP places a strong emphasis on policy, advocacy, and education. In doing so, they serve as a public face for children’s health and the profession. To find out more about AAP and how you can get involved visit https://www.aap.org/.