ORLANDO, Fla. – The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) 2024 National Conference & Exhibition highlights the latest in pediatric medical care, with educational sessions to equip, inform and support pediatricians providing health care to children in every community in the United States.
Thousands of medical professionals from the U.S. and around the world are expected to attend the conference Sept. 27 – Oct. 1, 2024, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla.
More than 300 education sessions will address important pediatric health care issues including suicide prevention and mental health, social media, nutrition and picky eating, ADHD and other learning differences, behavior management, opioids, safety of herbs and supplements, injury prevention and infectious diseases. The conference also includes presentations of original research on issues such as period poverty and the lack of access to menstrual products; racial biases in medicine; the impact of gun laws on child health outcomes; and more.
“It’s so important to gather and discuss children’s healthcare right now. The national conference gives pediatric medical professionals the opportunity to connect and learn from each other while providing a platform for advocacy for those children most in need.” said Elizabeth Murray, DO, FAAP, chair of the Conference Planning Group. “We need to make sure the youngest among us are well cared for.”
Journalists must apply for press credentials in advance. For information, journalists should contact Lisa Robinson at lrobinson@aap.org or Alex Hulvalchick at ahulvalchick@aap.org. Embargoed news releases and other content are available to journalists upon request. Abstracts to be presented at the conference will be available on the conference website at 12:01 a.m. ET on Sept. 27.
Conference information is here: AAP Experience: National Conference & Exhibition – September 27 - October 1. 2024
Special events of interest to media include:
SATURDAY Sept. 28
10:30 a.m. - noon - President’s Address: AAP President Benjamin Hoffman MD, FAAP, discusses the challenges facing children and pediatricians today and reflects on the opportunities ahead for the Academy and child health.
Noon – 1:30 p.m. ET - AAP Soundbite Session: Authors of select abstracts offer brief remarks in the press office and be available for individual interviews. Attend this session to learn more about newsworthy new research, which is described in news releases below. Lunch is provided.
SUNDAY, Sept. 29
10:30 a.m. - noon – Plenary speakers
Admiral Rachel L. Levine, MD, FAAP, serves as assistant secretary for health for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and is head of the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps.
Perri Klass, MD, FAAP and Claudia Aristy will discuss an update in AAP policy on reading with children from infancy on up and why it’s important for children’s health, development and relationship bonding.
Jenny Radesky, MD, FAAP and Megan Moreno, MD, MSEd MPH, FAAP, co-medical directors of the Center of Excellence on Social Media and Youth Mental Health (aap.org) will talk about the 5Cs of social media use for parents and pediatricians when considering if a child is old enough to use a smart phone or engage in social media. In addition, the AAP announces a new tool that breaks down how to adjust settings for each social media platform.
MONDAY, Sept. 30
2-3 p.m. ET – New AAP Clinical Practice Guideline on Acute Pain Management and Use of Opioids in Outpatient Settings. Authors of a new AAP guideline will discuss recommendations for pediatricians on how and when to prescribe opioids for pain while reducing the long-term risk of addiction.
TUESDAY Oct. 1
9-10 a.m. Eliminating Suspension, Expulsion, and Other Harsh Discipline Practices in Schools and Early Education. Authors of an updated clinical report will discuss how exclusionary discipline practices impact health, including disproportionate harm to children of color.
The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 67,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults. For more information, visit www.aap.org.