The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is deeply involved in efforts to ensure that children's needs are recognized and incorporated into disaster preparedness, rescue/response, recovery, and mitigation efforts at all levels of government. Events including the September 11 terrorist attacks; Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Gustav, and Ike; the H1N1 pandemic; and the earthquakes in Haiti have demonstrated all too clearly that children's needs have not been planned for or addressed appropriately. In addition, children are disproportionately affected by disasters, meaning that children are given less attention than necessary when disaster plans are written and exercised, equipment and supplies are purchased and disaster response
and recover efforts are activated. The AAP is committed to engaging with policymakers at the federal, state, and local level to ensure that children are protected and provided for in all types of disasters.
While the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) plays the central role in Federal disaster efforts, numerous other departments and agencies are also involved. Disaster Medical Assistance Teams (DMATs) and health services are provided by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Evacuation and transportation are overseen by the Department of Transportation. Human services—such as food stamps, shelters, and child welfare—are covered by agencies including HHS, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the Department of Justice. The AAP is working to educate officials in all of these areas about children's needs and the most appropriate ways to plan for and serve them.
Congress has a vital role in funding all aspects of disaster readiness, response, and recovery, as well as in passing relevant laws and setting priorities. The AAP has developed relationships with lawmakers and Congressional committees to ensure that they include children's needs in such legislation and prioritize them appropriately.
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here for more info on disaster preparedness efforts in AAP
state chapters.
Testimony
The AAP has been invited to testify before Congress on pediatric disaster issues as follows:
Comments, Correspondence, and Positions
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Letter to the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response Emergency Care Coordination Center supporting regionalization of emergency care and highlighting specific models of pediatric emergency care regionalization. (January 2010) |
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Letter to the National Commission on Children and Disasters commending the Commission for its work and identifying 3 key AAP priorities to ensure children's needs are met in disaster planning, rescue/response, recovery, and mitigation efforts (May 28, 2009)
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Letter to the US Food and Drug Administration regarding pediatric countermeasures for nerve agent exposure (December 18, 2008)
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Letter to House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Chairman David Obey, supporting funding for the National Commission on Children and Disasters (September 22, 2008)
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Letter to HHS Deputy Secretary Tevi Troy, MD, regarding guidance on home stockpiling of influenza antiviral medications (July 15, 2008) |
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Letter to Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Chairman Tom Harkin, urging the correction of a drafting error to allow funding to be allocated to the National Commission on Children and Disasters (July 7, 2008) |
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Presentation: AAP Perspective on Home Antiviral Drug Stockpiling
(June 17, 2008) |
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Letter to the Subcommittee on Labor, Health & Human Services, Education & Related Agencies Appropriators supporting the HHS funding request for pandemic influenza preparedness (March 20, 2008) |
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Letter to Kenneth Shine, M.D., Chair of the Institute of Medicine's Committee on Research Priorities in Emergency Preparedness and Response For Public Health Systems, regarding research priorities for the Centers for Public Health Preparedness at schools of public health (December 5, 2007)
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Official comments to FEMA on various annexes to the National Response Framework (November 10, 2007) |
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Letter from the Working Group on Pandemic Flu Preparedness in support of funding for pandemic flu initiatives in the Fiscal Year 2008 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education spending bill
(October 25, 2007) |
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Official comments to FEMA on the National Response Framework (October 11, 2007) |
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Letter to HHS Assistant Secretary of Preparedness and Response Craig Vanderwagen supporting the appointment of at least one pediatrician to the National Biodefense Science Board (July 31, 2007) |
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Letter to FEMA Director David Paulison urging the appointment of one or more members with expertise in the needs of children and families to the FEMA National Advisory Council (July 16, 2007) |
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Comments to the Institute of Medicine Committee Meeting on Modeling Community Containment for Pandemic Flu (October 26, 2006) |
Legislation Supported by the AAP
The AAP has endorsed the following legislation:
S 1970/HR 3495: Addressing the Disaster Needs of Children Act. This bill would establish a National Commission on Children and Disasters to develop recommendations on changes needed to federal policies and structures in order to ensure that children's needs are recognized and met during disasters. This bill was signed into law in December 2007; of the 10 commissioners appointed, 3 are pediatricians.
HR 2464/S 60, the Wakefield Act: This bill would renew the Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) program for an additional five years. The EMSC program funds a range of activities in every state regarding pediatric emergency care, including some activities directed specifically at disaster readiness and response.
HR 882/S 1003, the Access to Emergency Medical Services Act: This legislation would improve access to emergency medical services and the quality of care furnished in emergency departments of hospitals and critical access hospitals by establishing a bipartisan commission to examine factors that affect the effective delivery of such services, by providing for additional payments for certain physician services furnished in such emergency departments, and by requiring reports on certain emergency department information as a condition of participation in the Medicare program.
Partnership for Children's Disaster Preparedness
The AAP Department of Federal Affairs leads the Partnership for Children's Disaster Preparedness (PCDP), a coalition of more than 40 organizations that advocate for pediatric disaster readiness. The coalition includes organizations such as the American College of Emergency Physicians, Children's Defense Fund, The Children's Health Fund, and Save the Children. The PCDP facilitates networking among member organizations, hosts monthly meetings, and coordinates advocacy efforts on key issues.
Policies and Resources
American Academy of Pediatrics policy statements are organizational principles that guide and define the healthcare system and/or improve the health of all children while AAP technical reports provide background information that support Academy policy. Clinical reports offer guidance for the clinician in rendering pediatric care. An AAP manual is considered to be "policy" while it may include background information, guidance for clinical care, and supporting resources.
For more information on specific topics see
About Us. Visit the AAP Web site for information on all
AAP Advocacy Initiatives.
