AAP to create National Center on Early Childhood Health and Wellness

The American Academy of Pediatrics was awarded a $33.4 million grant for the creation of the National Center on Early Childhood Health and Wellness, according to a press release.

“The center will support early childhood education programs in providing safe, healthy, nurturing environments for the children and families they serve, and this offers a tremendous opportunity to build healthy habits and to transform our nation’s health,” Sandra G. Hassink, MD, president of the AAP, said in the release. “Pediatricians are uniquely positioned to help families access high-quality early childhood education programs in their communities, which can be critical to a child’s healthy development.”

Sandra G. Hassink

Under a 5-year grant, the center will offer educational programs and ongoing technical assistance for pediatricians and early childhood programs, according to the release. These programs will support nutrition, health promotion, disease prevention, trauma and toxic stress, emergency preparedness, environmental safety, medical and dental home access, and screening for vision, hearing, behavior, and development.

“As a pediatrician, I know that when children have access to Head Start and other high-quality early education, they are healthier and do better in school,” Karen Remley, MD, executive director of the AAP, said in the release. “When we improve the health and trajectory of our youngest children, we improve the health of entire communities, which is critical for the future success of our nation.”