AAP Blueprint for Children

On October 15, the American Academy of Pediatrics released its latest Blueprint for Children, which outlines a comprehensive child health policy agenda for 2020 and beyond.

Today, children and adolescents face intersecting crises.

Millions of Americans have contracted COVID-1931 — including almost 700,000 children.32 This pandemic’s consequences for youth far surpass those of the disease itself. Children have lost the institutions that provide structure to and support for their lives, with mental and physical health consequences that may take decades to unfurl.33 Children have also suffered the deaths of loved ones from COVID-19, and the loss of critical connections.

Meanwhile, racism persists as a public health crisis.34 Functioning as a social determinant of health, racism plagues children of color with birth disparities, chronic stress, and lifelong mental and physical health problems.35 Children of color now make up a majority of American youth — so their health and prosperity will determine our nation’s future.36 

The persistent dangers of COVID-19 and racism have exacerbated — and complicated — existing health problems for youth. Studies show all social determinants of health – including housing, healthcare access, educational inequalities, income gaps, occupational hazards, and both unconscious biases and outright discrimination—are all stacked against children of color.

Almost 20 percent of children have special health care needs, such as disabilities and chronic illnesses.37 These children are more vulnerable to COVID-19 and now face more stringent restrictions on their social interactions.38 Even before the pandemic, too many lacked adequate support systems and care in their communities.39

At the same time, rates of mental illness for all youth have jumped over the past twenty years.40 Tragically, suicide has become the second-leading cause of death for youth between the ages of 10 and 34.41 LGBTQ youth have been particularly affected, facing higher rates of harassment, homelessness, and substance abuse, while transgender youth too often lack medical care to transition safely.42

These health crises pose a threat to every child and adolescent — and to every American, since the health of our society depends on the strength of our future workforce. As such, the federal government must use every tool at its disposal to defeat them.

Click the link above to read more about Policies that Promote Healthy Children