Children are more vulnerable than adults in disasters and public health emergency situations, and they have specific needs for customized disaster planning. Pediatricians can use these resources, recommendations and tools to be better prepared to support and care for children affected by disasters. 

 

Disaster Preparedness Overview

Infants, children and adolescents have unique needs that must be considered in disaster management efforts. Pediatricians and others who may care for children have key roles to play in disaster preparedness, response and recovery to ensure these unique needs are met. The AAP provides resources for pediatricians and others to take strategic actions (personally and professionally) to support planning, provide services and play a leadership role in disasters and public health emergencies.  
 

AAP Recommendations

The AAP provides recommendations and guidelines to support pediatricians and other health care professionals working to ensure the health of children and adolescents is addressed in disaster planning and response. 

AAP Policies authored by the Council on Children and Disasters

The AAP has interim guidance specifically related to COVID-19, including guidance on surge.

 

Tools and Resources

The AAP has developed numerous resources designed to help pediatric health care providers, families and communities prepare for, respond to and recover from and disasters and other emergency situations. 

Disaster Management Resources By Topic

Find information and protocols specific to treating children for a wide variety of disaster topics.

Professional Resources

Find useful tools and resources to guide you in ensuring children’s needs are met in disaster planning.

Resources for Families

Help the families in your care understand that a few simple steps now can help protect their family, assure their children feel safe and make it easier to recover after a disaster.

Resources for Communities

Find helpful resources to assist in ensuring children’s health issues are considered during disaster preparedness and response activities in your community.

DisasterCast

Disasters act fast – so we must too. View these topic-specific videos that provide key information on pediatric disaster preparedness, response, and recovery.

​Pediatric Tabletop Exercise Resource Kit: Preparing for Disasters

Review the AAP Pediatric Tabletop Exercise Resource Kit for suggestions and tools for states, communities, hospitals or healthcare coalitions to successfully plan for and conduct pediatric tabletop exercises.

Get Involved

AAP Council on Children and Disasters 
The Council on Children and Disasters develops policy statements, clinical reports and technical guidelines to encourage children’s needs to be considered and addressed in all aspects of disaster preparedness and recovery.
Last Updated

11/22/2022

Source

American Academy of Pediatrics