AAP Voices

Welcome to AAP Voices, the official blog of the American Academy of Pediatrics, where AAP member pediatricians and others share their perspectives on a wide variety of topics relating to children's health and wellness.

Showing 1-15 of 280 total articles

Children Should Never Go to Court Alone

May 28, 2025

Court can be a scary place, especially for young children. Compound that with a language barrier and remove that child’s access to representation, and you have ample opportunity for exploitation. Marsha Griffin, M.D., FAAP, has seen the impacts of this firsthand as a pediatrics professor in Texas where she has spent years advocating for children protected under the Unaccompanied Children Program, which provides legal representation for those young one attempting to navigate our complicated immigration and court systems.

Marsha Griffin, M.D., FAAP

Burnout is Not Your Fault

April 30, 2025

Burnout is a serious problem that only gets worse the longer it is ignored. Pediatricians and other care careers are particularly prone to it as the job prioritizes care for others and can lead to overlooking your own care. Burnout hit Gretchen A. Pianka, MD, MPH, FAAP when family pressures piled on top of her professional pressures. After reaching a breaking point, Dr. Pianka started focusing on her own care and began to love her work again.

Gretchen A. Pianka, MD, MPH, FAAP

Pediatricians’ critical role in transition of care for patients with Intellectual Disability

February 25, 2025

Children living with intellectual disability are typically given access to expanded benefits to help them thrive as they grow. However, once reaching adulthood, families can have difficulties finding programs and services that can fill the gap left behind. Catherine Kernie, MD, experienced this first-hand when her brother John, who has Down syndrome, was able to transition to postgraduate opportunities – a reality she knows is hard for some families. Dr. Kernie believes pediatricians have a unique role to play in ensure that continuation of care for their patients with intellectual disabilities and encourages others in her field to consider that when working with their patients.

Catherine Kernie, MD

The Importance of Food Security Interventions

February 4, 2025

Food insecurity - insufficient access to nutritious, affordable food - is a growing reality for many families. The impact of hunger can be wide-reaching - leading to difficulties in school, illness from lack of proper nutrition, and can even impact breastfeeding mothers' ability to feed breastfeeding children. Pediatricians play a crucial role in recognizing when families struggle with food security and making sure they get connected to those who can help.

Kimberly Montez, MD, MPH, FAAP

A Primer on the Words We use to Describe Autism

January 22, 2025

Autism is a diagnosis that impacts thousands of families, but not all families talk about autism in the same way. This lack of cohesion in how medical professionals talk with patients and families about autism can drive a wedge between parties and create boundaries to care. Take a look at how two different families discuss autism with their pediatricians and see how these practices can be incorporated into your own work to make families feel safe, secure, and seen.

Kate Wallis, MD, MPH, FAAP

Alicia Brewer Curran

Shanice Oates

Kristin Sohl, MD, FAAP

Sacrifice Zones—a Personal and Cultural Perspective

December 20, 2024

Depending on where we live, the environment can play a huge part in our overall health. This is especially true if you live in a sacrifice zone, an area where residents are exposed to pollutants despite adverse health impacts. Norma Jean Schue Kreilein, MD, FAAP treats patients living in these sacrifice zones and advocates for actions that can positively impact the health of residents. Learn from her how you too can take action to make a positive change where it is needed most.

Norma Jean Schue Kreilein, MD, FAAP

The Healing Power of Partnership: Pediatricians Avoid Burnout while Addressing Opioids Crisis in a Rural Community

December 20, 2024

Pediatricians work hard each and every day to provide excellent care for their patients. It’s hard work that can lend itself to burnout, especially for pediatricians that work in rural areas with fewer resources. Heather Pratt Chavez, MD, FAAP writes about how connecting with fellow pediatricians can help combat burnout and provide fresh voices to further improve the crucial care they give to patients.

Heather Pratt Chavez, MD, FAAP

Veronica Parker, M.D., FAAP

Your Vote, Their Future: The Role of Pediatricians in Shaping Child-Centric Policies

October 21, 2024

For Dr. Brooke Laudenslager, her caregiving doesn’t end when she leaves work. Her job, and that of all those practicing or learning pediatric medicine, extends far beyond what can be done in office. She argues it even extends to the voting booth and has compiled a list of 10 reasons why you should vote this elections season.

Brooke Laudenslager, DO

On Burnout, Efficacy, and Believing We Can Do Better: Musings on a Home-grown Get Out the Vote Campaign

October 17, 2024

Dr. Stark followed her passion for health equity and advocacy, channeling the burnout she was experiencing into action. She has been working with Vot-ER, a nonpartisan organization working to integrate civic engagement into healthcare, to help educate her young patients on the importance of voting and inspire them to make their voices heard.

Amrita Stark, MD, FAAP

Health Equity and Voting

October 7, 2024

Emergency Medicine Physician Jean Junior spends her days saving children living through dangerous situations. As crucial as her work is, Dr. Junior says everyone can make changes to keep children safe, especially those who are particularly impacted by health inequities, by voting.

Jean Junior, MD, FAAP

A Family’s Palliative Journey Inspires Courage, Hope and Resource for Parents

September 30, 2024

A palliative care pediatrician describes how his career as a community physician took a turn in 1999 when he met the parents of a baby with Tay Sachs disease. Together they forged a path of care during the baby’s short life that demonstrated the power of informed and engaged parents working with clinical teams on behalf of their children. Today the Courageous Parents Network serves as a guide for the parents of medically complex patients and a resource for clinicians.

Richard D. Goldstein, MD, FAAP

Bridging the Gap: Supporting Breastfeeding Mothers with Postpartum Depression

September 24, 2024

Dr. Abhilasha Ahuja, a pediatrician who works with new mothers, wants to help fellow pediatricians support new mothers on their breastfeeding journey. Half of some common issues that impact new mothers – postpartum depression and anxiety – remain undiagnosed because mothers are hesitant to speak up. She encourages pediatricians to learn the signs and symptoms to provide the best patient care possible.

Abhilasha Ahuja, MD, FAAP

National Latinx Physicians Day

September 24, 2024

Dr. Khan never intended to become a physician, having initially pursuing psychology before her experience volunteering at a clinic serving undocumented immigrants. There she was struck by the condition people came to them instead of visiting an emergency room out of fear. She went on to become a physician to help support those who needed care the most. Dr. Khan continues that legacy by honoring other Latinx physicians and reminding us all to do the same.

Amna Khan, MD, FAAP

Get Out the Voter Education: A Call For Improved Civic Health

August 15, 2024

While medical providers engage with these individuals in a variety of ways to promote physical and mental health, providers also have an opportunity to promote civic health – which extends to all corners of the medical system. A physician explains how medical providers can implement systems and strategies to provide non-partisan voting support and enact meaningful change.

Elizabeth Hubbard, MD, FAAP

Navigating Teen Dating: A Pediatrician's Perspective

August 9, 2024

As healthcare professionals, we play a crucial role in guiding parents and teens through this new terrain. Dr. Liz Henry offers tips on how to equip parents with the tools and support they need to help teens form healthy relationships.

Elizabeth R. Henry, MD, FAAP

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