Pediatric Policy Council Legislative Breakfast: Unpacking the Politicization of Child Health

Monday, May 1, 2023

7:00 AM – 8:00 AM ET

Location: Convention Center: 144 ABC

CE: Live CME: 1.00

Selected By: PPC
Co-sponsored By: AAP

Chair(s)

Shetal Shah, MD

Professor of Pediatrics
New York Medical College
Syosset, New York, United States

Disclosure(s):

Shetal Shah, MD: No financial relationships to disclose

Session

Description: Child advocates are accustomed to ensuring children aren’t left out of public policy debates that have important implications for their health and well-being, often reminding elected leaders that children aren’t just little adults. The experience of recent years, however, presents different challenges: rather than an afterthought, children have been thrust into the spotlight in U.S. political discourse. From contentious debates about masking in schools to harmful rhetoric targeting the care of transgender and gender-diverse youth, politicians have made lighting rods of key child health issues, polarizing Americans in their views of what is best for young people and turning children into political footballs. This reality has made advocacy for children more complicated, forcing child advocates to navigate difficult political currents and heated passions. What is behind the focus on issues like critical race theory in schools and book bans? How can we refocus the debate on what is truly best for children? Join the Pediatric Policy Council for this session to explore the politicization of child health. Mark Del Monte, JD, chief executive officer and executive vice president of the American Academy of Pediatrics, and Shetal Shah, MD, chair of the Pediatric Policy Council will be joined by an inside-the-Beltway political commentator to offer insights on the issue and engage the audience in dialogue about how to effectively speak up for children in this challenging environment.

Learning Objectives:

Learn about the dynamics shaping the political discourse around children in the U.S.
Learn about effective messages to refocus the debate on policies and programs that meet children’s needs.
Identify opportunities for academic pediatricians to speak out in support of child health during turbulent times.

Presentations:

7:00 AM – 7:05 AM ET

Welcome
Speaker: Shetal Shah, MD FAAP (he/him/his) – Maria Fareri Children's Hospital, New York Medical College
7:05 AM – 7:10 AM ET

Introduction
Speaker: Mark Del Monte, JD (he/him/his) – American Academy of Pediatrics
7:10 AM – 7:35 AM ET

Unpacking the Politicization of Child Health: Public Opinion Insights
Speaker: Celinda Lake
7:35 AM – 8:00 AM ET

Closing and Q&A
Speaker: Mark Del Monte, JD (he/him/his) – American Academy of Pediatrics
Speaker: Shetal Shah, MD FAAP (he/him/his) – Maria Fareri Children's Hospital, New York Medical College