Appreciation of diversity and commitment to promote nurturing, inclusive environments for children and members are at the core of a bold new Diversity and Inclusion Statement, which declares the Academy’s opposition to intolerance, bigotry, bias and discrimination. The statement is published online at http://www.aappublications.org/news/2017/10/30/DiversityStatement103017.
“Too often in recent times, we as physician leaders have witnessed incivility and intolerance on the news, in our communities and in our workplaces. We know that this harms children and undermines our ability to fulfill our mission,” AAP President Fernando Stein, M.D., FAAP, and AAP CEO/Executive Vice President Karen Remley, M.D., M.B.A., M.P.H., FAAP, said in a written statement.
The Diversity and Inclusion Statement values apply to differences among all individuals: children, families, members, staff and partners of the Academy. These diversities include race, ethnicity, language spoken at home, religion, disability and special health care needs, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, gender identity and others.
In a year marked with demonstrations of divisiveness and exclusion in the nation and abroad, the Academy is using policy, advocacy and education to encourage inclusivity and cultural effectiveness for all.
The Academy recently convened the Task Force on Diversity and Inclusion, which is developing recommendations that foster diversity and inclusion throughout the Academy (http://bit.ly/2fSk1XW). A new AAP Task Force on Addressing Bias and Discrimination also has been created to help members address these hardships in practice and promote inclusion.
And a new Provisional Section on Minority Health, Equity and Inclusion offers an opportunity for members to participate in advancing health equity and promoting inclusion. Membership is free. The section complements the work of the Section on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Health and Wellness, which also welcomes members. All members are welcome to join either section at http://bit.ly/1PXO8f5.
Several other AAP sections are discussing ways to embrace diversity and inclusion within their memberships.
These actions continue to bolster support as the Academy moves to achieve the 2017-’18 AAP Child Health Priority: Addressing Bias and Discrimination (http://bit.ly/2xZX2nQ).
“Maximizing the diversity of our members and leaders allows the AAP to benefit from the rich talents and different perspectives of these individuals,” the statement says. “The AAP is strengthened by our diversity.”
