Policy positions American Academy of Pediatrics

1 policy positions

1.1 asthma
1.2 elective infant circumcision
1.3 female genital cutting
1.4 gun violence prevention
1.5 school start times adolescents

policy positions

the academy has published hundreds of policy statements ranging advocacy issues practice recommendations. academy s policy website contains current academy policies , clinical reports.

asthma

in 2009, national office , 4 of state chapters provided training support 49 pediatric practices improve adherence well-established asthma care guidelines. percentage of patients @ participating practices well-controlled asthma (as defined national heart, lung, , blood institute) rose 58 72 percent.

elective infant circumcision

in 2012 position statement, academy stated systematic evaluation of medical literature shows preventive health benefits of elective circumcision of male newborns outweigh risks of procedure , health benefits sufficient justify access procedure families choosing , warrant third-party payment circumcision of male newborns, not great enough recommend routine circumcision male newborns . academy takes position parents should make final decision circumcision, after appropriate information gathered risks , benefits of procedure. 2012 statement shift in academy s position 1999 statement in academy says health benefits of procedure outweigh risks, , supports having procedure covered insurance.

after release of position statement, debate appeared in journal pediatrics , journal of medical ethics. group of 38 northern european doctors, ethicists , lawyers co-authored comment stating found aap s technical report , policy statement suffered cultural bias, , reached recommendations , conclusions different of physicians in other parts of world. opinion 2 authors stated that, in view, aap s analysis inaccurate, improper , incomplete. aap received further criticism activist groups oppose circumcision. aap responded these criticisms in journal of medical ethics, calling respectful , evidence-based debate.

female genital cutting

in april 2010, academy revised policy statement on female genital cutting, 1 part of new policy proving controversial. although condemning female genital cutting overall, statement suggested current federal law banning practice had unintended consequence of driving families perform procedures in other countries, these girls faced increased risk. possible compromise, policy statement suggested physicians have option perform ceremonial nick on girls last resort prevent them being sent overseas full circumcision. particular position proved controversial advocates full ban on female genital cutting under circumstances , concern other medical groups nick condoning rejected procedure. 1 month later, academy retracted policy statement.

gun violence prevention

the american academy of pediatrics says although u.s. firearms-related deaths have dropped since 1990s, guns responsible on 80 percent of teen homicides in 2009 , common suicide method among teens. aap believes pediatricians should discuss guns , gun safety parents before babies born , @ children s annual exams. advocates for, among other things, more background checks, assault weapons ban, , federal research on gun violence.

school start times adolescents

recognizing insufficient sleep in adolescents important public health issue affects health , safety, academic success, american academy of pediatrics supports efforts of school districts optimize sleep in students , urges high schools , middle schools aim start times no earlier 8:30 a.m. allow students opportunity achieve optimal levels of sleep (8.5–9.5 hours) , improve physical , mental health, safety, academic performance, , quality of life. although aap acknowledges numerous factors may impair amount and/or quality of sleep in adolescents - among them, biological changes in sleep associated puberty, lifestyle choices, , academic demands - considers school start times before 8:30 a.m. ( earlier school start times ) key modifiable contributor insufficient sleep, circadian rhythm disruption. recognizes substantial body of research has demonstrated delaying start of school day effective countermeasure chronic sleep loss , has wide range of potential benefits physical , mental health, safety, , academic achievement of students - including reduced obesity risk, rates of depression, , drowsy driving crashes improved academic performance , quality of life.