AAPA is frequently asked to become an active partner in national campaigns to improve patient care. By working on both the national and local levels, AAPA can educate other providers and the public about the role of PAs in expanding access to quality medical care. The following section contains information on some campaigns seeking PA assistance and involvement.
CDC Urges Physician Assistants to Promote Pre-teen Vaccines
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is urging physician assistants (PAs) to actively promote the pre-teen medical check-up and pre-teen vaccines for 11- and 12-year-olds. The pre-teen vaccine recommendations are supported by the CDC, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians, and the Society for Adolescent Medicine. Since 2005, CDC has recommended three vaccines for routine administration specifically for pre-teens: meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV4), Tdap and for girls, the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.
Although the HPV vaccine is not added to the recommended immunization for males, parents of boys may request it. PAs you can help parents decide if the vaccine is right for their sons.
CDC has developed posters and flyers that physician assistants can use to educate parents about the pre-teen check-up and pre-teen vaccines. They can be ordered free of charge or downloaded at the site. For more information about the pre-teen medical check-up and pre-teen vaccines, visit or call 1-800-CDC-INFO.
U.S. Adolescents are Vulnerable to Vaccine Preventable Diseases
Adolescents are vulnerable to vaccine preventable diseases. Although there is increased focus on adolescent immunization, recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that vaccines are still underused in this population. AAPA and other organizations in collaboration with the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) encourage all health care providers to make every effort to vaccinate adolescents according to the current immunization schedule.
One of the several resources available for PAs to aid in improving adolescent immunization rates is a Webinar "Protecting Adolescents Now and Into the Future: Supporting CDC Immunization Strategies" at www.adolescentvaccination.org
An Adolescent Vaccination Call to Action reflecting new CDC data and information presented by the speakers at NFID’s “Protecting Adolescents Now and Into the Future:
Supporting CDC Immunization Recommendations and Strategies” is also available.
FREE Tools to Help Increase Adult Vaccination at ADULTVACCINATION.org
Adult vaccination rates are disappointingly low. AAPA, in collaboration with the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) and other leading medical organizations, agrees that the impact of vaccine-preventable diseases in American adults must be improved with increased adult immunization.
To help PAs educate patients and implement in-practice vaccination protocols several resources are available at www.adultvaccination.org.
National Foundation for Infectious Disease (NFID) Pneumococcal Disease Advisory Board Statement
AAPA and other leading medical and health organizations agree with the National Foundation for Infectious Disease (NFID) Pneumococcal Advisory Board Statement. Pneumococcal immunization rates among adults need to be improved to reduce the impact of pneumococcal illness and death in this population. Despite recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the availability of an effective vaccine, vaccination rates among these populations remain low. The statement, Higher Pneumococcal Disease Vaccination Rate Needed to Protect More At-Risk US Adults was published in the November 2009 issue of Postgraduate Medicine.
National Adult Immunization Awareness Week
The National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) and the National Coalition for Adult Immunization set the dates for National Adult Immunization Awareness Week. Resources for those interested in participating in events are made available on the CDC Web site at www.cdc.gov.
National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW)
The National Foundation for Infectious Diseases' Childhood Influenza Immunization Coalition (CIIC), of which AAPA is a member, is providing support in observance of NIVW. Visit their site for additional information and educational resources.
The Childhood Influenza Immunization Coalition (CIIC)
The Childhood Influenza Immunization Coalition (CIIC) was established by the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) to protect infants, children and adolescents from influenza by communicating with "one strong voice" the need to make influenza immunization a national health priority. CIIC seeks to address and improve the low influenza immunization rates among children.
AAPA and the Childhood Influenza Immunization Coalition, of which AAPA is a member, urge health care professionals to make their support of influenza vaccination known by displaying this statement in their practices and on their Web sites. Two statements are available, one for display where vaccination is offered; the other is for display where vaccination is not offered but is strongly encouraged.
Immunization Alliance
In 2008, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) established the Immunization Alliance, of which AAPA is a member, to help restore public trust in immunizations. The coalition is dedicated in protecting communities from vaccine-preventable diseases. Member organizations representing physicians and medical personnel, public health authorities, and parents market directly to parents the value of immunizations and the importance of child health recommendations based on credible scientific evidence.
The Venous Disease Coalition (VDC)
The Venous Disease Coalition (VDC) is comprised of diverse organizations, including AAPA, committed in raising public and clinician awareness of venous disease. The condition affects more than 25% of the U.S. population and is a common cause of death and disability. The coalition provides PAs and other health professionals with access to clinical practice tools and educational resources to help improve the diagnosis and treatment of venous disease. VDC Coalition activities and how to participate, visit the VDC Web site.
Divided We Fail is a non-partisan movement committed to amplifying the voices of those who believe that health care and long-term financial security are the most pressing issues facing the nation. The effort is being led by AARP, the Business Roundtable, and the Service Employees International Union, and is supported by a broad range of organizations, including national medical and health care groups such as AAPA. To learn more, visit the Divided We Fail Web site.
Partnership for Prescription Assistance
The Partnership for Prescription Assistance brings together America's pharmaceutical companies, health care providers, patient advocacy organizations, and community groups to help qualifying patients who lack prescription coverage get the medicines they need. Its mission is to increase awareness of patient assistance programs and boost enrollment of those who are eligible. AAPA is a participating partner in this program. To access the Partnership for Prescription Assistance by phone, call toll-free, 888/4PPA-NOW (888-477-2669).
Asthma Action America
Asthma Action America is a national asthma education campaign supported by leading organizations committed to improving health care. More than 30 million Americans have been diagnosed with asthma in their lifetime, including an estimated 9 million children under the age of 18. Asthma is a leading cause of activity limitation in the United States, and it places a significant burden not only on patients, but also on families, workplaces, schools, communities, and quality of life. Asthma Action America has developed a Web site with patient education information for those with asthma and for those who many know someone with asthma. AAPA is a supporting organization of Asthma Action America.
Healthy People 2010 is the prevention agenda for the nation. It is a statement of national health objectives designed to identify the most significant preventable threats to health and to establish national goals to reduce these threats. AAPA is an active supporter of this campaign and is working to educate PAs about the agenda and ways to educate their patients to lead healthier lifestyles. To learn more about Healthy People 2010, visit http://www.healthypeople.gov/.
Campaign for Children's Health Care
More than 9 million children in the United State lack health insurance, and millions more have inadequate coverage. AAPA is a partner in the Campaign for Children's Health Care, a broad coalition dedicated to making high-quality, comprehensive, and affordable health insurance coverage for all of American's children a top national priority. Investing in children's health yields many benefits, including improved development, improved school performance, and long-term savings in health care costs. To learn more about the campaign and how to support its efforts, visit the Campaign for Children's Health Care Web site.
Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease
The Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease believes that rising rates of chronic health problems pose a significant and unsustainable burden on the U.S. health care system, and that the viability and strength of the system presently and in the future relies on a willingness to enact policies that help Americans better prevent and manage chronic illnesses.
