Enhancing partnerships to address birth defects, infant disorders and related conditions, and the health of pregnant and postpartum people - Component A; Component B - The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is pleased to submit the current proposal in response to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) funding opportunity titled, “Enhancing Partnerships to Address Birth Defects, Infant Disorders, and Related Conditions, and the Health of Pregnant and Postpartum People” (CDC-RFA-DD-23-0004). The proposed program includes two components. Component A will improve clinical and public health outcomes for infants and children with birth defects, infant disorders, and related conditions (BDID) and their families in disproportionately affected communities. Birth defects impact 1 in 33 United States (US) infants annually. Although infant mortality due to birth defects has declined, birth defects remain a leading cause of infant mortality, and racial and ethnic disparities persist. Component B will improve clinical and public health outcomes for infants and children during disease outbreaks and public health emergencies (PHE). Recent PHE have demonstrated the negative impact such crises have on children and families and the need to strengthen the capacity of institutions, communities, states, and the nation to respond to their unique needs. Further, the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated how existing disparities caused by racism and poverty are only exacerbated during emergencies. With a membership of more than 67,000 pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists, and pediatric surgical specialists; a broad network of cross-sectoral partnerships; and over 90 years of experience providing training and technical assistance (TA) to pediatricians to promote the health and well-being of infants and children, the AAP is uniquely positioned to lead both components of this critical program. The AAP emphasizes equity, diversity, and inclusion as key foundational components of its work, placing the Academy in a prime position to ensure that this work addresses health disparities and advances health equity. Under Component A, the AAP will foster and enhance collaborations and knowledge sharing among pediatricians, primary care clinicians, public health professionals, and community-based organizations related to infants and children with BDID; build knowledge and capacity among physicians and non-physician clinicians to address gaps that impact equitable access to comprehensive and coordinated services for families living with BDID in disproportionately affected communities; strengthen discharge education and best practices among community-based providers to improve transitions from hospital to home for infants with BDID; and develop and disseminate evidence-based messages and materials for families living with BDID, pediatricians, public health professionals, community-based organizations, and other key stakeholders. Under Component B, the AAP will foster and enhance collaborations and knowledge sharing among pediatricians, relevant health care personnel, public health professionals, and community-based organizations to enhance emergency preparedness and response efforts during disease outbreaks or other PHE. Taken together, the proposed program will lead to increased availability and awareness of data to inform clinical care and public messaging, improved information sharing and coordination among networks, increased dissemination and use of data-informed clinical and public health materials, increased incorporation of diverse perspectives into clinical care and public health materials, increased capacity to implement clinical and public health approaches, and improved capacity within organizations to respond to the needs of children and families during PHE.
