The Department of Federal Affairs has been the Academy's voice on federal issues impacting children and pediatricians for more than four decades. Based in Washington, DC, the Department of Federal Affairs serves as the Academy’s Washington Office, advancing key child health priorities through lobbying Congress, building coalitions and raising public awareness. Pediatricians and Capitol Hill staff can turn to the AAP Washington Office for ways to prioritize children’s health on the national policy agenda.

The department comprises legislative and public affairs professionals who provide data and information on various child health topics, offer feedback on legislative proposals, conduct media outreach on health issues confronting children, recommend legislative initiatives that will benefit children and adolescents, and organize briefings on specific topics of interest to members of Congress and their staff.

The Department of Federal Affairs helps pediatricians use the media to raise awareness about issues of importance to the pediatric community, regularly trains AAP members in federal advocacy, and engages pediatricians for action on key child health issues at the federal level. Pediatrician experts are also frequently called to testify in congressional hearings on child health issues. 

The following issues are only a snapshot of key child health topics covered by the AAP Washington Office: 

Adolescent health
Adoption and foster care
Autism
Biomedical research
Breastfeeding
Child abuse and neglect
Children's Health Insurance Program
Community health
Disaster preparedness and response
Disabilities
Health disparities
Drugs and devices
Early child care and education
Emergency medicine
Environmental health
Federal budget and appropriations
Food safety
Global health
Gun violence prevention
Health information technology
Health insurance coverage
Health system reform
Home visiting
Immigrant health
Immunizations
Infectious diseases
Injury and poison prevention
Media and advertising and its influence on children
MedicaidMental health
Native American child health
Nutrition
Obesity prevention
Oral health and dentistry
Pediatric practice
Poverty
Quality improvement
School health
Sports medicine and fitness
Substance abuse
Tobacco control
Toxic stress
Violence prevention