Lauren Geary, M.P.H., American Academy of Pediatrics
Kathy Janies, American Academy of Pediatrics
Jane Bassewitz, M.A., American Academy of Pediatrics

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is striving to provide vital support to pediatric health care professionals, patients, and families during this unprecedented public health crisis. As efforts continue to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and to develop appropriate guidance and resources, the AAP provides streamlined, accurate, and up-to-date information to its members and the public. 

Central Messaging Strategy 
The AAP and HealthyChildren.org (AAP parenting website) have made a concerted effort to communicate using messaging that is relevant, helpful, focused, and realistic for their key audiences, which include health care professionals and families. As part of this process, the AAP established a central email for people to submit inquires: COVID-19@aap.org. Staff carefully read all emails and catalogue them to facilitate consistent messaging across the organization. COVID-19-related content is shared with established groups and networks, as deemed appropriate. The AAP and HealthyChildren.org content authors coordinate with experts to ensure that all messaging is aligned with the up-to-date science, advice, and best practices (new and established).

Providing Guidance to Families and Health Care Professionals 
The AAP and HealthyChildren.org are monitoring and responding to both critical and commonly asked questions in a timely manner. As an example, the AAP provides guidance related to well-child visits, newborn care, newborn screening, telemedicine. Guidance continues to reinforce that well-child care should be consistent with Bright Futures: Guidelines for Health Supervision of Infants, Children and Adolescents, 4th Edition, and the corresponding Bright Futures/AAP Recommendations for Preventive Pediatric Health Care (Periodicity Schedule).

For families, some key resources on HealthyChildren.org include tips for positive parenting, teens, breastfeeding, and more. 

Bright Futures National Center
The Bright Futures National Center understands that this is a uniquely challenging time for pediatric health care professionals. To continue providing theory-based and evidence-driven guidance for all preventive care screenings and well-child visits, the Bright Futures National Center has developed the following new and updated resources for your practice: 

• The 2020 Bright Futures/AAP Periodicity Schedule was published in the March 2020 issue of Pediatrics. The Periodicity Schedule recommends screenings and assessments at each well-child visit from infancy through adolescence and is updated annually. The 2020 Periodicity Schedule included 1 change. The Maternal Depression Screening Footnote 16 has been updated to read as follows: “Screening should occur per ‘Incorporating Recognition and Management of Perinatal Depression Into Pediatric Practice‘.” 
• The 2020 Coding for Pediatric Preventive Care booklet is available for downloading. This complimentary resource contains comprehensive listings of codes and services that coincide with the 2020 Bright Futures/AAP Periodicity Schedule. Contact BrightFutures@aap.org to request hard copies of the 2020 Periodicity Schedule or for Coding for Pediatric Preventive Care booklets.
• Two new tip sheets are available for pediatric health care professionals: “Promoting Healthy Weight” and “Promoting Oral Health.” Each tip sheet provides practical advice to help professionals integrate the Bright Futures approach, tools, and resources into daily clinical practice. 

For clinical questions, visit the AAP COVID-19 resources.

For parenting/family questions, visit HealthyChildren.org.

For Bright Futures questions, contact us at BrightFutures@aap.org or at (630) 626-6783.