AAP President Susan J. Kressly, M.D., FAAP, is asking leadership at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to use the Academy as a resource in carrying out the agency’s mission to support child health and well-being.
In a letter sent Tuesday, Dr. Kressly urged new HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., to listen to the experience and expertise of researchers and clinicians who care for children, including AAP members.
“As pediatricians, it is our life’s work to promote and improve the health of our patients,” Dr. Kressly wrote. “Investing in all children and their health is not only the right thing to do, but it also helps keep our nation strong.”
The Academy routinely reaches out to offer expertise and guidance to the HHS secretary following confirmation.
The letter calls on federal leaders to protect Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program, which nearly half of all children in the U.S. rely on, as well as support the Vaccines for Children program to ensure continued access to immunizations.
“Vaccines are an American success story,” Dr. Kressly wrote. “Childhood immunizations remain one of the soundest public investments we can make.”
She pointed to a 2024 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that found routine childhood vaccinations will have prevented approximately 508 million cases of illness, 32 million hospitalizations and 1.1 million deaths for children born during 1994-2023. The resulting societal savings are about $2.7 trillion, including a direct savings of $504 billion.
Dr. Kressly said the postponement of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and Food and Drug Administration’s Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee meetings was “alarming” and called on Kennedy to reschedule to ensure access to the flu vaccine for the 2025-’26 influenza season.
“Both of these committees play crucial roles in preventing the spread of disease in the U.S. by bringing together experts to discuss the scientific evidence on vaccines and recommended immunization schedules for children, adolescents and adults,” Dr. Kressly wrote. “Pediatricians rely on this information when forming our own recommendations for child and adolescent vaccine schedules.”
During his confirmation hearing, Secretary Kennedy told members of Congress he wanted to “end the chronic disease epidemic” in the United States. Dr. Kressly said the AAP looks forward to working with HHS on the issue, which will require alignment and support at the federal and state levels to properly treat children with chronic disease.
“The earlier in the life course we make these investments in prevention, the greater return we experience as a nation,” Dr. Kressly wrote. “Put simply, the healthy children of today grow into the healthy adults of tomorrow.”
Dr. Kressly noted the AAP, its leadership and members are ready to assist the federal government in addressing myriad child health issues, including:
- childhood obesity,
- youth mental health,
- social media and youth well-being,
- tobacco and substance use,
- poverty,
- child welfare,
- regulation of drugs, devices, biologics and food,
- Native American child health and
- global child health.
AAP leaders also expressed concern at the removal of data, resources, webpages and other information provided by HHS, which are essential to provide accurate information to children and families.
“There is much to be achieved to address many of the challenges currently facing children, families and those who care for them,” Dr. Kressly wrote. “Given the scope and depth of HHS’ work, it is critical that the agency not reverse course on proven solutions, but instead work with stakeholders like the AAP to address our most pressing problems. We stand ready to meet with HHS to discuss how we can help ensure that the agency’s critical work and scientific integrity continue. The health and well-being of our nation’s children are counting on it.”
