Advocacy role of pediatricians and the American Academy of Pediatrics in the prevention of war related deaths of children

It is estimated that from 1990 to 2010, civilians, in all the violent conflicts and wars of that time period, comprised 90% of all those killed. War had killed thousands of children from 1990 to 2010 and left many millions more handicapped, disabled, homeless, orphaned and psychologically traumatized. In a review of three years of editions of the American Academy of Pediatrics News six articles were found on terrorism; fifty-two articles on uninsured or insurance related issues and thirty-two articles on coding and billing information. The newsletter also included two hundred articles on pediatric health issues and thirty articles of guideline and policy updates. There were also eight articles published on Special Needs. There was not one article on the issue of war and the prevention of pediatric deaths. In a review of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) official policies for the years 2003-2010 there was, one, 2003 resolution regarding the effects of war on children. The resolution adopted was to provide academy members with information and tools to help children and their families understand the impact of war and its consequences, again, nothing on war and prevention. Pediatricians of western Pennsylvania were surveyed regarding the advocacy role of pediatricians and the American Academy of Pediatrics question on the question of preventing pediatric deaths in a war time setting. Ninety percent of the pediatricians surveyed indicated that the AAP takes a minimal to moderate position regarding the political/advocacy role on war and its effect on children.