The AAP is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year and taking a look back at the dedicated pediatricians who paved the way for its founding.
Laying the groundwork for the future, AAP tackles challenges of 2010-’20
A host of events tested the country: terrorist attacks, school shootings, the COVID-19 pandemic and measles outbreaks, separation and detention of immigrant children, racial strife and a divided nation. Hurricanes, floods and wildfires flared in certain regions
AAP focused on health coverage, disaster readiness, obesity in early 2000s
The AAP also was involved in bills addressing newborn screening, child nutrition, stockpile needs for children, disparities faced by Native American children, the dangers of ATVs, testing of drugs for children and pediatric devices.
In the 1990s, the AAP pushed access to care, helped slash SIDS rates
Events of the 1990s illustrate how the Academy, its chapters and others played a role in responding to a changing profession as they tackled issues such as access to care and new concerns in child health and health care financing.
1980s: AAP built new headquarters, helped ensure future vaccine supply
The Academy also continued progress on childhood injury prevention,took on pediatric AIDS, introduced Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) training, established the Pediatric Research in Office Settings program and launchedAAP News.
In the 1970s, AAP reaffirms mission, doubles membership, opens D.C. office
The 1970s continued the previous decade’s trend of tumultuous events, along with a rise in technological and medical advancements.
Tumultuous decade of the 1960s ushers in Head Start, medical achievements
Medicine and health care saw many advancements, including new vaccines to fight measles, rubella and mumps and the first American neonatal intensive care unit. There was an explosion of medical subspecialists but concerns over health care costs and a shortage of pediatricians given the Baby Boom following WWII.
AAP jumpstarts injury prevention efforts in 1950s, with nationwide impact
In the post-World War II years, the AAP continued to thrive, as its mission of dedication to the whole child came into focus.
Amid war in the 1940s, AAP extended influence, undertook major child health study
In the 1940s the AAP also accepted its first two black members, formed more than a dozen committees and took over publishing its own journal.
AAP organizational efforts, growth of pediatrics flourished in the 1930s
The founders of the American Academy of Pediatrics set to work soliciting new members, defining and disseminating standards for the profession, and implementing recommendations from the 1930 White House Conference on Child Health and Protection.
Many societal factors converged as founders organized the AAP
There was momentum to address conditions in the country such as high infant and maternal mortality, rampant disease, child labor, poverty and malnutrition. The late 19th and early 20th centuries also were characterized by the great wave of immigration, women’s suffrage, migration to cities and poor housing conditions.
