American Academy of Pediatrics

141 Northwest Point Boulevard
Elk Grove Village, IL

8474344000

About American Academy of Pediatrics

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is a non-profit medical professional association dedicated to attaining optimal physical, mental, and social health and well-being for all infants, children, adolescents, and young adults. The AAP was founded in 1930 by 35 pediatricians who met in response to the need for an independent pediatric forum to address children’s needs. The Academy currently has approximately 55,000 members in the United States, Canada, and Latin America. Members include pediatricians, pediatric medical sub specialists, and pediatric surgical specialists. More than 36,000 of AAP members are board-certified and called Fellows of the American Academy of Pediatrics (FAAP). The AAP also has a network of chapters that serve states and territories in the United States and Canadian provinces; such chapters are dedicated to furthering the aims of the national organization as well as local priorities. One of the AAP’s major activities is to further the professional education of its members: continuing education courses, biannual scientific meetings, seminars, publications, and statements from committees and sections form the basis of a continuing postgraduate educational program. More than 40 committees-with interests as varied as injury and poison prevention, children with disabilities, nutrition, and child health financing-develop many of the AAP’s positions and programs. In addition, the Academy currently has more than 40 sections consisting of more than 23,000 members with interest in specialized areas of pediatrics. Sections present educational programs for both their members and the general membership of the AAP in order to highlight current research and practical knowledge in their respective subspecialties. The AAP also publishes a monthly scientific journal entitled “Pediatrics”; a continuing education journal entitled “Pediatrics in Review”; a membership newsletter; and a variety of manuals on such topics as infectious diseases and school health. In its public education efforts, the AAP also produces patient education brochures, a parents’ resource guide, immunization information, “Healthy Kids” magazine, a series of child care books written by AAP members, video programs, audio tapes, and more. In addition, the AAP designates October as “Child Health Month” to emphasize the importance of preventive health care and other child health issues. The Academy also executes original research in social, economic, and behavioral areas and promotes funding of research; maintains a Washington, D.C. office to ensure that children’s health needs are taken into consideration as legislation and public policy are developed; and has an advocacy staff that provides assistance to chapters, promoting issues such as child safety legislation and Medicaid policies that increase access to care for low-income children.