Keeping our patients healthy often requires we examine more closely the environments, policies, and systems that can negatively impact pediatric health. We believe as primary care health providers we can have meaningful impact on the lives and health of our patients through advocating for positive changes in these systems. Therefore, our advocacy efforts expand beyond the individual level to include partnership with local community organizations, larger national organizations, as well as state and federal government policy makers.

Advocacy efforts of our Division include, but are not limited to:

• DOT 8 Advocate: an advocacy newsletter with action items and legislative updates circulated regularly by email
• Clinic-based initiatives to meet the needs of our population, such as food insecurity and other social needs screenings
• Divisional Anti-Racism Taskforce
• Embedded community resource specialists within clinic
• Authoring and publishing editorials in local print media to share expert opinion
• Days of action, involving contact with our elected officials by phone, email, or letter
• In-person meetings with our elected officials, insurance representatives, and other policy makers

Read our recent op-ed piece in the Tennessean.

Visit the website for the Tennessee Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (TNAAP).