Support for providers in areas where equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) programs and initiatives are banned or in the process of being banned was voted the top resolution by attendees of the 2024 AAP Leadership Conference.
Authors of the resolution noted that pediatricians across the nation are being affected by legislative changes that have eliminated EDI programs at medical schools, residency programs and medical workplaces. According to The Chronicle of Higher Education, 12 laws exist eliminating EDI programs at colleges and universities. In addition, 84 bills have been introduced in various states and 39 were tabled or failed to pass.
In March 2024, Alabama passed SB129, which will take effect Oct. 1. The law is similar to legislation passed in 2023 in Texas and Florida that banned funding for EDI initiatives and prohibits state agencies, boards of education and institutions of higher learning and training from maintaining EDI offices.
During the conference, which took place July 25-28 in Itasca, Ill., 193 eligible voting members voted on 61 resolutions and 54 were adopted. Resolutions provide input from members to the Board of Directors on the direction of policies and activities.
Following discussion of the resolutions, 166 voters (86% response rate) ranked the top 10 resolutions they felt were of the utmost importance to AAP members.
- Supporting Providers in Areas Where EDI is Banned or in the Process of Being Banned
- Advocacy for Children and Adolescents Exposed to Military Conflict and Major Disaster Zones
- Formation of an AAP Innovation Center to Position the U.S. to Lead the Transformation of Pediatric Health Care
- Public-Health-Informed Firearm Injury Prevention Curriculum for High School Students
- Advocating for Child Safety Packaging and Labeling of Edible Cannabis Products
- Encouraging Mentorship of American Indian and Alaska Native First Nations, Inuit and Metis Trainees in Pediatrics
- Shortages of ADHD Medications
- Create a Task Force for Gender Equity Within the AAP
- The AAP Position on Banned Books
- Support Newborn and Other Health Care Provided by Rural Pediatricians
These will be referred to the Board of Directors for consideration. Other adopted resolutions will be referred to areas of the Academy with expertise in the subject.
Another resolution was “referred to committee” by an overwhelming majority of voting members. This resolution addresses the Academy’s response to rising antisemitism and anti-Palestinian discrimination in the United States. The referral, which was made on procedural grounds, sends the resolution to the Board of Directors. AAP President Benjamin D. Hoffman, M.D., FAAP, urged members who have comments about this or other resolutions to send them to [email protected].
“Pediatricians face challenges imposed by restrictive legislation, world events, medication shortages and social conditions of children and families each day. The resolutions identified and prioritized by leaders of the AAP cover these issues and others that impact child health,” said CEO/Executive Vice President Mark Del Monte, J.D.
Text of the top 10 resolutions and voting results can be viewed here.
Additional coverage of the AAP Leadership Conference
