AAP DISTRICT II
RESIDENT NEWSLETTER
(Updated 4/14/09)

AN UPDATE ON DISTRICT 2 RESIDENT ACTIVITIES: 
Newest Residents' Newsletter
(pdf format)

AAP Smoking Advocacy – www.aap.org/richmondcenter

1. Rate new smoking movies "R." - Any film that shows or implies tobacco should be rated "R."
2. Certify no payoffs. - The producers should post a certificate in the closing credits declaring that no one on the production received anything of value

   Documenting Parental Refusal to Have Their Children Vaccinated

        Despite our best efforts to educate parents about the need to vaccinate their children through discussions of vaccine-preventable diseases, the effectiveness of vaccines in preventing them, and the realistic chances of vaccine-associated adverse events, some will decline to have their children vaccinated.  The incredible success of immunizations in dramatically reducing the incidence of vaccine-preventable diseases has led to an increased public focus on vaccine safety.  Even though scientific data and doctors solidly support the fact that vaccines are safe and effective, research on hypotheses about harmful side effects often is taken out of context.  Safety concerns, some appropriate and many inappropriate but widely discussed in the media and on unmonitored and biased Web sites, cause substantial and often unrealistic fears.  Although most parents believe they are safe, up to 25% have important misconceptions about vaccine safety that may lead the parents to refuse some or all immunizations for their children.  According to an AAP Periodic Survey of Fellows, 79% of pediatricians have had one or more instances of parents refusing to allow their child or children to be vaccinated.  About 10% of pediatricians report 10% or more of parents are avoiding vaccines because of safety concerns.

        All parents and patients should be informed about the risks and benefits of preventive and therapeutic procedures, including vaccination.  In the case of vaccination, federal law mandates this discussion.  Despite doctors’ and nurses’ best efforts to explain its importance, some families will refuse vaccination for their children.

        The Section on Infectious Diseases and other contributing sections and committees hope this form will be helpful to you as you deal with parents who refuse immunizations.  It will be available on the AAP Web site (www.aap.org/bookstore), the Section on Infectious Diseases Web site (http://www.aap.org/sections/infectdis/index.cfm), and the Web site for the Academy’s Childhood Immunization Support Program (www.cispimmunize.org/).  The use of this or a similar form can demonstrate the importance you place on appropriate immunizations and focus the parent's attention on the unnecessary risk for which they are accepting responsibility.

    

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   District II Legislative Day 2008 Update

        "Waiting on the World to Change," a song by John Mayer has lyrics centered around the theme of my generation’s frustration with current politics but inability to act.  I too have often noticed unjust situations for my patients but have not envisioned clearly my role in creating change.  As seen in the current presidential race, young people today are finding ways to become more active in politics.  On February 25-26th, I had the opportunity to attend the AAP legislative day in Albany.  I drove to Albany with three community pediatricians who are each active in AAP and Buffalo Pediatrics Society.  I was impressed with the involvement of these and many other physicians who came to the capitol from across the state to advocate for improvements in health care for children.

        On the evening of the 25th we had an AAP chapter meeting and dinner.  Buffalo was well represented at the meeting.  The next morning we attended a debriefing session at the Fort Orange Club along with pediatricians and child psychiatrists from the three AAP Chapters in the state.  We heard from state leaders in health care policy including the chair of the Assembly Health Committee, the chair of the Senate Health committee, the deputy commissioner of Health for New York, and the Deputy Superintendent for Health for NYS Insurance Department.  The speeches were informative and the physicians present had the opportunity to ask questions and express concerns they had come across in their practices.

        We then dispersed and met with Senators and Assemblymen from our districts.  We expressed our support for selected items in the Governor’s budget.  The three other Buffalo pediatricians and I met with Republican Assemblyman Jack Quinn, who was very knowledgeable about the current issues for children and was on board with most of the agenda items we were discussing.  The issues on our agenda centered around improving care for children and increased funding for primary and preventive care.  For the most part, issues received bipartisan support.  Some budget items discussed were, the expansion of the Child Health Plus Program, increased funding for primary care providers and quality of care interventions in Bright Futures, the Healthy Schools Act, and Reach out and Read.  We also discussed selected legislation items supported by the AAP such as Expedited Partners Therapy.

        Legislative day allowed physicians in the community to effectively communicate with and educate legislators on relevant issues in pediatrics.  Advocacy such as this is instrumental in improving the care of children across the state.

   Submitted by Michelle Mann, MD from SUNY Buffalo Program, District II Chapter I