Membership Opportunities
Election 2024: Get out the Vote with PA AAP!
The 2024 U.S. General Election will take place on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. On election day, voters throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will cast their ballots to elect their new United States President, U.S. Senators, U.S. Representatives, State Executives, State Senators, State Representatives and more!
As we gear up for the election, now is a great time to check to make sure that your voter registration is up-to-date and help your patients and their families register to vote! Pennsylvania residents can check their voter registration status here.
As of 2022, the U.S. voter registration rate was 69.1%, which means that about 30% of the U.S. population was unable to cast their ballots to influence policy decisions that have a major impact on their health. There is also a significant racial and ethnic voter registration gap in the United States which leaves many Black, Asian, and Hispanic Americans underrepresented in U.S. elections.
Research suggests that the act of voting can have a tremendous impact on mental and physical well-being. Since voting influences health, health care providers have a vested interest in helping to make sure that their patients and their patients' families are registered to vote. To support providers in this effort, PA AAP is launching a Get Out the Vote initiative to give Pennsylvania's pediatricians the tools and resources they need to both register patients and families to vote and encourage voter turnout.
As we gear up for the election, now is a great time to check to make sure that your voter registration is up-to-date and help your patients and their families register to vote! Pennsylvania residents can check their voter registration status here.
As of 2022, the U.S. voter registration rate was 69.1%, which means that about 30% of the U.S. population was unable to cast their ballots to influence policy decisions that have a major impact on their health. There is also a significant racial and ethnic voter registration gap in the United States which leaves many Black, Asian, and Hispanic Americans underrepresented in U.S. elections.
Research suggests that the act of voting can have a tremendous impact on mental and physical well-being. Since voting influences health, health care providers have a vested interest in helping to make sure that their patients and their patients' families are registered to vote. To support providers in this effort, PA AAP is launching a Get Out the Vote initiative to give Pennsylvania's pediatricians the tools and resources they need to both register patients and families to vote and encourage voter turnout.
President's Message, September 2024
Kate Tigue, MD, FAAP
Dear Colleagues,
The beginning of September marks the start of a new academic year for most Pennsylvania school students, and while pediatricians are busy with back-to-school well exams, sports physicals, and endless forms for all our patients, parents are thinking about school supplies, clothing, transportation, and after-school childcare. One important support for parents as the school year begins is access to affordable and nutritious school meals.
The 2024-25 Pennsylvania budget provided ongoing funding for PA’s Free School Breakfast Program, which helps to ensure that children across Pennsylvania can start the school day with energy to help improve focus and educational outcomes. This program supplements schools in addition to the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), serving nutritional meals to millions of children across Pennsylvania and the nation.
Unfortunately, food insecurity in Pennsylvania is not new and is a struggle for too many of our children and families. According to Feeding America’s annual Map the Meal Gap study, over 1.5 million Pennsylvanians, including more than 436,000 children, are facing hunger. Conditions have worsened over the last several years due to factors related to the COVID-19 pandemic, job losses, rising food costs, and supply chain disruptions. Locally, we have all seen shortages and struggles to keep community food bank shelves full to help aid those in need.
Considering these challenges, now is the time to update local resources for our families so we can share them in our offices and hospitals. Identifying food insecurity is only one part of the problem. Where can we assist to help our most vulnerable patients and families access resources?
The beginning of September marks the start of a new academic year for most Pennsylvania school students, and while pediatricians are busy with back-to-school well exams, sports physicals, and endless forms for all our patients, parents are thinking about school supplies, clothing, transportation, and after-school childcare. One important support for parents as the school year begins is access to affordable and nutritious school meals.
The 2024-25 Pennsylvania budget provided ongoing funding for PA’s Free School Breakfast Program, which helps to ensure that children across Pennsylvania can start the school day with energy to help improve focus and educational outcomes. This program supplements schools in addition to the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), serving nutritional meals to millions of children across Pennsylvania and the nation.
Unfortunately, food insecurity in Pennsylvania is not new and is a struggle for too many of our children and families. According to Feeding America’s annual Map the Meal Gap study, over 1.5 million Pennsylvanians, including more than 436,000 children, are facing hunger. Conditions have worsened over the last several years due to factors related to the COVID-19 pandemic, job losses, rising food costs, and supply chain disruptions. Locally, we have all seen shortages and struggles to keep community food bank shelves full to help aid those in need.
Considering these challenges, now is the time to update local resources for our families so we can share them in our offices and hospitals. Identifying food insecurity is only one part of the problem. Where can we assist to help our most vulnerable patients and families access resources?
Updates and Events
PA AAP's 38th Annual Resident Career Day for Second-Year Residents
Friday, September 20, 2024 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM ET Join us for our hybrid 38th annual Resident Career Day. Participants will hear from legal and financial experts, fellow pediatricians, and health care leaders on topics relevant to post-residency career planning. Register here. |
NEW Firearm Safety Toolkit for Healthcare Providers
In recognition of Gun Violence Awareness Month in June, PA AAP launched a new Firearm Safety Toolkit for Healthcare Providers! The toolkit providers information on safe storage resources, lethal means counseling, and shares what providers can do to help advocate for gun safety legislation in Pennsylvania. Access the toolkit here. |
Become a member and help us to improve the health and well being of children in Pennsylvania
Membership opportunities are available to pediatricians and allied health professionals. The Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics provides an array of benefits and services to keep you up-to-date and informed. The Chapter actively advocates on behalf of your patients, their families, and you. Together, we serve as one voice in fulfilling the needs of children and pediatricians in the state.
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