Below is a release on a special article appearing in the October issue of Pediatrics, the peer-reviewed, scientific journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

For Release: October 6, 2008, 12:01 am (ET)

The leaders of five major pediatric organizations – the Society for Pediatric Research, American Pediatric Society, Association of American Medical School Department Chairs, Academic Pediatric Association, and the American Academy of Pediatrics – met earlier this year to outline a list of recommended child health priorities. The special article, “A National Agenda for America’s Children and Adolescents in 2008: Recommendations From the 15th Annual Public Policy Plenary Symposium, Annual Meeting of the Pediatric Academic Societies, May 3, 2008,” highlights child health advocacy priorities, including the need to better understand and prevent the effects of poverty on child and adolescent health, and the need for more funding for child health research. In addition, the report outlines the potential threats to a continued, competent pediatric workforce, and the critical role of access in truly improving child health. Finally, the article summarizes and critiques the two U.S. presidential candidates’ health care proposals.

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The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 60,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults.