04 Dec 2024 | 4 MIN READ
HLTH Executive Series: Championing Children's Health with Mark Del Monte
Children's health is at the forefront of healthcare transformation, driven by efforts to personalize experiences, ensure consistent coverage, and combat misinformation.
In this episode of the HLTH Beat Executive Speaker Series, Leana Wen interviews Mark Del Monte, CEO of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), about the organization's priorities and policies. Del Monte explains that AAP, with 67,000 members, prioritizes policies based on evidence and feedback from both its board and members, focusing on diverse issues like mental health, equity, and environmental health. He emphasizes the importance of Medicaid and CHIP (Children's Health Insurance Program) as vital coverage for children, noting concerns over 5.5 million children losing coverage post-pandemic due to procedural issues. Del Monte advocates for merging Medicaid and CHIP into a national program to eliminate variability between states, providing consistent healthcare for children.
Addressing the post-COVID rise in vaccine mistrust, Del Monte stresses AAP's efforts to counter misinformation with reliable sources and empower pediatricians with accurate information. He underscores the importance of the clinician-patient relationship in promoting healthy behaviors and accurate information. The conversation highlights the broader role of AAP in advocating for comprehensive child health policies and combating misinformation to support children's well-being.Tune in to discover how the AAP is championing child healthcare and fighting misinformation for a healthier future!
About Mark Del Monte:
Mark Del Monte, serves as the CEO and Executive Vice President of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). With an extensive background in law and advocacy, Mark has been instrumental in advancing pediatric health and well-being since joining the AAP in 2005. Under his leadership, the AAP supports 67,000 pediatricians and pediatric specialists, ensuring they have the necessary resources and guidance to provide top-notch care for children. His work is driven by a deep commitment to addressing various issues impacting children's health, such as mental health, equity, environmental health, and public policy. Mark is also a vocal advocate for policies supporting comprehensive healthcare coverage for children, particularly through programs like Medicaid and CHIP (Children's Health Insurance Program).
Beyond his policy advocacy, Mark is dedicated to combating misinformation, especially around vaccine trust. He focuses on providing pediatricians with accurate information and reliable resources to build trust between healthcare providers and families. Mark believes in the power of the clinician-patient relationship in promoting healthy behaviors and informed decision-making. His combination of legal expertise and passion for child health advocacy makes him a leading voice in shaping the future of pediatric healthcare, striving to ensure that all children have the opportunity to thrive.
Things You’ll Learn:
- The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)'s comprehensive approach to addressing diverse issues affecting children's health, including mental health, equity, and environmental health.
- The critical roles that Medicaid and CHIP play in providing essential healthcare coverage for children.
- The AAP's strategies to counteract vaccine mistrust and other misinformation, empowering pediatricians with accurate information.
- Insights into the advocacy for merging Medicaid and CHIP into a national program to ensure consistent healthcare for all children.
- The importance of the clinician-patient relationship in promoting healthy behaviors and delivering reliable information.
Resources:
Connect with and follow Mark Del Monte on LinkedIn.
Visit healthychildren.org to get valuable info for your family.