About The American Academy of Pediatrics

The mission of the American Academy of Pediatrics is to attain optimal physical, mental, and social health and well-being for all infants, children, adolescents and young adults. To accomplish this, AAP shall support the professional needs of its members.

• AAP is a professional membership organization of 60,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical sub-specialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety, and well being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults. The FAAP designation after a pediatrician’s name stands for Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Pediatricians who maintain their FAAP designation have obtained initial board certification.
• AAP advocates for access to health care for all children, adolescents and young adults. The AAP believes that each child should have a “medical home”—a model of health care where care is accessible, family-centered, continuous, comprehensive, coordinated, compassionate and culturally effective. The AAP works with government, communities and other national organizations to shape many child health and safety issues.
• AAP works with community-based organizations on many programs and grant-funded projects. For example, the Community Access To Child Health (CATCH) Program supports pediatricians involved in community-based efforts for children. The Healthy Tomorrows Partnership for Children Program is a cooperative agreement between the federal Maternal and Child Health Bureau and the AAP, with federal grants awarded to support community-based projects that improve access to health services for mothers, infants, children and adolescents.
• AAP is home to several long-term research programs to enhance the delivery of health care to children. The Pediatric Research in Office Settings program conducts studies using a network of 1,800 pediatricians working in office-based practices and is one of the longest-running research programs in the U.S.