Child health is on the ballot this fall.
Elections at all levels of government — from the presidency and U.S. Congress to state and local seats — will determine policies that impact children for their entire lives. Ballot initiatives in 31 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico pertaining to key issues like firearm violence prevention, reproductive rights and environmental protections also will have serious implications for child health.
With so much at stake, there are many ways for pediatricians to engage their communities and impact races ahead of Election Day on Nov. 5.
Get out the vote
The AAP once again is taking action to help educate and turn out voters, including members, parents, caregivers and young adults.
Health care-based voter registration is impactful in elections. A study published in JAMA Health Forum in June found that voters registered in health care settings leading up to the 2020 election were disproportionately younger and more racially and ethnically diverse, suggesting that “medical professionals can play an important role in voter registration and turnout during the 2024 US elections.” (See story at https://publications.aap.org/aapnews/news/29860).
The Academy will work on several fronts to promote civic health this fall by providing pediatricians with tools to educate their communities on the stakes of this election. The hub of the Academy’s get out the vote (GOTV) campaign is https://aap.org/votekids. There, members can find various resources to guide their civic health advocacy.
On the Get Out the Vote Tools page, users can request a free voter registration badge from AAP partner Vot-ER, a nonpartisan, health professional-driven organization working to integrate civic engagement into health care. Badges contain a QR code that patients can scan to check their voter registration status and learn more about registering.
The page also provides sample conversation starters to help guide pediatricians’ discussions with their patients about voting, as well as information on which states allow 16- and 17-year-olds to preregister to vote.
The Spread the Vote Kids Message page has resources geared toward communicating the stakes of this election on social media, as well as sample messages and graphics.
Finally, a resource page for chapters lists ideas for how state leaders can get involved in mobilizing voters, like working with residency programs and encouraging member participation in state candidate forums.
The Academy will continue to share new tools and tips at https://aap.org/votekids.
Bringing Vote Kids message to AAP gatherings
The Academy is not limiting its involvement to the online space. Thousands of pediatricians attending the National Conference & Exhibition Sept. 27-Oct. 1 in Orlando, Fla., will have the opportunity to learn more about the Academy’s civic engagement efforts.
Conference attendees can visit the advocacy booth to learn about their state’s voter registration processes and share why “voting kids” is important. The National Conference takes place before any voter registration deadlines, allowing attendees to participate in meaningful get-out-the-vote work during and after the conference. Vote Kids buttons and Vot-ER badges also will be available for attendees to bring back to their workplaces and communities to spread the message.
National Conference attendees interested in learning about their role in educating others on the importance of voting should attend the interactive workshop “Get Out the Vote: What’s at Stake for Child Health in the 2024 Election” from 1-2 p.m. EDT on Sept. 27. It will be led by Geoffrey Rosenthal, M.D., Ph.D., FAAP, chair of the AAP Committee on Federal Government Affairs, and Lisa M. Costello, M.D., M.P.H., FAAP, chair of the Committee on State Government Affairs.
The Section on Pediatric Trainees (SOPT) also will be engaging members at the National Conference. Partnering with Vot-ER on its Healthy Democracy campaign, SOPT members will engage in a friendly competition among AAP districts to promote voter registration. SOPT members also will come together to share their experiences and continue the campaign. Attending physicians are welcome to join in and can email [email protected] for more information.
The Academy is not waiting for the National Conference to take action. The importance of this year’s elections also was front and center at the annual Leadership Conference in July. Attendees wore Vot-ER badges and Vote Kids buttons throughout the conference, and several AAP leaders participated in filming a Vote Kids video, which can be found on the Academy’s social media channels.
During their advocacy plenary at the Leadership Conference, Drs. Costello and Rosenthal emphasized the importance of voting, with Dr. Costello leading the room in singing “let’s go vote!” to the tune of “Baby Shark.”
During his address, AAP CEO/Executive Vice President Mark Del Monte, J.D., emphasized the role voting plays in the Academy’s work. “Remember that every law that’s ever been passed that protects children, that values children, that makes the world a little safer, a little better for children, started with a vote,” Del Monte said. “A vote for people who put children first.”
More to come
In early September, the AAP will host a webinar on civic engagement and ways pediatricians can get involved in this year’s elections. It will feature voices from various groups within the Academy, including the Section on Minority Health, Equity and Inclusion. The webinar is open to all AAP members.
The Academy will continue to share resources and guidance for engaging patients and families on the stakes of this year’s races.
Sept. 17 is National Voter Registration Day. Go to https://vot-er.org/act/ to make sure you are registered to vote and share the site with patients and families.
