AAP News

05/29/2026

A new review of nearly 300 studies confirms the HPV vaccine effectively prevents cervical cancer.

HPV causes about 90% of cervical and a**l cancers in the U.S., and more than half of oropharyngeal, pe**le, vaginal and vulvar cancers. These cancers have dropped significantly since the HPV vaccine was licensed in 2006. However, leaders of CIDRAP’s Vaccine Integrity Project have said the vaccine is being undermined by unfounded criticism by federal officials and changes to federal policy.

The AAP continues to recommend routine HPV vaccination at 9-12 years. People who initiate the series before age 15 should get two doses and those starting the series at 15 or older should get three doses. https://bit.ly/4nU7PXw

05/22/2026

Cuts to Medicaid, lack of access to care, drug prices and measles outbreaks are just a few of the child health issues that two pediatricians are emphasizing in congressional campaigns.

Two pediatricians, Dr. Richard Pan of California and Dr. Annie Andrews of South Carolina, are hoping to join Congress. Dr. Andrews is running for Senate while Dr. Pan is seeking to represent California’s 6th District in the House of Representatives. Learn more:

Pediatricians Richard J. Pan, M.D., M.P.H., FAAP, of California, and Annie L. Andrews, M.D., M.S., of South Carolina, are waging primary battles for seats in Congress.

05/20/2026

Despite the many benefits of physical activity, only about 20-28% of children are reaching the recommended levels, according to a report by the Physical Activity Alliance. Dr. Sarah Hoffman, member of the AAP Council on Sports Medicine and Fitness, shares why physical activity counseling during well and sick visits is so important:

Both well and sick visits with a primary care pediatrician as well as subspecialty visits can be excellent opportunities for exercise counseling.

05/19/2026

Medical devices have revolutionized how pediatricians diagnose and treat disease, yet FDA applications for new devices for children number only about one-quarter of those for adults. Dr. Deepa Mokshagundam, member of the AAP Section on Advances in Therapeutics and Technology and chair of the AAP Section on Early Career Pediatricians, outlines new ways to improve access to more devices for children:

Using real-world evidence has opened new pathways to Food and Drug Administration labeling indications for pediatric medical devices.

05/18/2026

A new review by the Vaccine Integrity Project confirmed that tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccination during pregnancy is safe and protects newborns from pertussis (or whooping cough).

Pertussis can be serious for young babies, making vaccination so important. In 2025, there were 28,783 cases of pertussis including 16 deaths, and infants had the highest rate of severe disease. About 41% of those under 6 months who contracted pertussis were hospitalized, according to provisional CDC data.

Read more about the Tdap vaccine in AAP News: https://bit.ly/4djACRU

05/15/2026

The health impacts of climate change disproportionately affect children, especially those in socially disadvantaged groups. The AAP continues to advocate for environmental health, especially as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has taken major steps to unravel key measures designed to minimize the impacts of climate change and ensure children can breathe clean air. Learn more about the AAP’s environmental health advocacy efforts: https://bit.ly/4uJIYrK

Environmental health continues to be a critical advocacy priority for the AAP, especially as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has taken major steps to unravel key measures designed to minimize the impacts of climate change and ensure children can breathe clean air.

05/13/2026

The recent hantavirus outbreak has created stress among some adolescents and parents who lived through the global COVID-19 pandemic. Doctors say it’s understandable to be concerned, especially with misinformation spreading online, but the public risk remains low.

Pediatricians are urging patients and caregivers to speak with their doctors and seek trusted sources to understand how hantavirus differs from COVID-19. Read the full piece in AAP News to learn more. https://bit.ly/4uF8A94

05/13/2026

Perioral dermatitis is an inflammatory facial dermatosis in children that occurs in approximately 1% of the pediatric population. Drs. Sarah Asch and Sarah Stein, members of the AAP Section on Dermatology, offer practical approaches for treating perioral dermatitis in a primary care setting. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4d6C7CT

Better understanding of the mechanisms of perioral dermatitis has led to a broader array of treatment options for children.

05/12/2026

Health officials are calling on clinicians to watch for potential cases of hantavirus disease following an outbreak on a cruise ship. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said broad spread in the U.S. is “extremely unlikely.” Learn more:

AAP resources provide information about the Andes strain linked to the cruise ship outbreak. It can spread when people are in close contact for prolonged period and is known to cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome.

05/11/2026

The goal of transitioning adolescents with intellectual or developmental disability (IDD) is to ensure each person is treated with dignity and respect while supporting decision-making in the least restrictive environment, recognizing that abilities vary among individuals. Dr. Megyn Sebesta, member of the AAP Council on Children with Disabilities, and Dr. Sarah Northrop, member of the AAP Committee on Medical Liability and Risk Management Executive Committee, share how pediatricians can help families choose decision-making support before adolescents with disabilities become adults. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4uJ9FwJ

Medical and legal processes should be considered when pediatricians assist families and youths with intellectual or developmental disabilities in transitioning to adult care.