Nation’s Leader Says Countries That Prioritize Children Achieve Better Results

Newswise — American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) President, Jay E. Berkelhamer, MD, FAAP, addressed over 2,000 attendees today at the AAP National Conference and Exhibition (NCE) in San Francisco, Calif., today. According to Dr. Berkelhamer, "advancing a national agenda for children is an essential element needed to secure access to health care for more than nine million American children without insurance."

A major priority for the AAP has been the reauthorization and expansion of the State Children's Health Insurance Program, (SCHIP). Unfortunately, the recent veto of the SCHIP program demonstrates that not everyone in our society shares the same vision regarding access to quality healthcare. Dr. Berkelhamer feels strongly that "only when this nation re-establishes children as its top priority, will we face a future of potential and promise."

Early investments in child health, education, development, and well-being are imperative to promoting the national agenda for children, and partnering with similar organizations will help advance the agenda. America's Promise: Alliance for Youth, the nation's largest private-public partnership dedicated to providing fundamental resources for children is one group the Academy is proud to partner with. The results of an Alliance study found that more than two-thirds of America's youth are not currently receiving enough resources for children to achieve optimal health. Only by working together can we help the next generation create a healthy, more productive society in the future.

Dr. Berkelhamer also discussed the importance of the Academy's work with health organizations outside of the United States, and reaffirmed the concept that every child needs a medical home.