Zika virus psychosocial support videos
The Academy and HealthyChildren.org have released two videos that will guide parents-to-be, new parents and pediatricians caring for a child with suspected or confirmed Zika virus syndrome on how to deal with the emotions that may come with such a diagnosis.
The family-focused video “Pediatrician Advice for Families: Responding to your Concerns about Zika” (www.healthychildren.org/zikavirus or www.aap.org/zika) provides expectant parents and their families with basic information about the risks of Zika infection during pregnancy and recommends strategies to deal with stress due to worry. The video features David J. Schonfeld, M.D., FAAP, AAP Disaster Preparedness Advisory Council member, developmental-behavioral pediatrician at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and director of the National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement at the University of Southern California, and Carolina Peña-Ricardo, M.D., FAAP, developmental-behavioral pediatrician at Kaiser Permanente, West Los Angeles.
In the provider-focused video “Zika: Ten Tips for Pediatricians Supporting Families” (www.aap.org/zika), Dr. Schonfeld provides tips for pediatricians to consider when speaking with families who may have a child with Zika virus syndrome or are worried about possible infection in their unborn child.
For more information, email [email protected].
HPV guidance
Updated HPV Implementation Guidance at http://bit.ly/2o2pW1A explains the change in the number of doses of HPV vaccine for non-immunocompromised children who begin the series before age 15 years. Two doses are now recommended instead of three.
The web resource also reminds pediatricians that this month, all remaining doses of quadrivalent HPV vaccine (Gardasil 4) have expired. All doses of bivalent HPV vaccine (Cervarix) expired last November. These two vaccines are no longer distributed in the United States. Patients who received the entire series should not be revaccinated with the nine-valent HPV vaccine (Gardasil 9).
Call for abstracts
The AAP Institute for Healthy Childhood Weight is seeking abstracts for the 5th annual Innovations in Obesity Prevention, Assessment and Treatment Forum at the AAP National Conference & Exhibition, Sept. 15 in Chicago.
The forum showcases innovative approaches to prevent, assess and treat pediatric obesity at the point of care that demonstrate promising or proven results. Poster presentations and a panel discussion will focus on topics areas such as improving quality of obesity care, increasing physician knowledge, enhancing multidisciplinary care, improving access to care, new technologies, and patient and family communication and engagement.
To submit an abstract, visit http://aapexperience.org/abstracts.
Provisional section to address needs of minority children, their providers
The Provisional Section on Minority Health, Equity and Inclusion is the latest provisional section to be approved by the AAP Board of Directors. The section’s purpose is to advance health equity by addressing the social determinants affecting minority child health and by promoting greater inclusion and diversity in the pediatric workforce.
Its aim is to provide a platform to discuss and address the unique social and health challenges that affect minority children and their health care providers. The section will help equip pediatricians with tools to understand and address the complex social determinants shaping health in minority communities, and to achieve practice and policy changes advancing health equity.
The section also plans to promote and celebrate diversity in pediatric medicine and in the Academy, highlight the contributions minorities have made to advance the field and provide a platform for nurturing and voicing perspectives from diverse backgrounds. Membership is open to all AAP members in good standing.
For information, email [email protected]. Find out more about AAP sections and councils and their membership criteria at http://bit.ly/2oR9yhJ.
