Overview
- Federal officials confirmed they terminated seven previously awarded grants to the American Academy of Pediatrics, saying the awards no longer align with the department’s mission or priorities.
- The canceled funding—three CDC grants and four from HRSA—supported programs for sudden infant death reduction, early autism detection, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder prevention, adolescent and mental health, and rural healthcare access.
- Internal letters reported by news outlets indicate some grants were flagged over “identity-based language,” including references to racial disparities and use of the term “pregnant people.”
- AAP, representing about 67,000 pediatricians, says the cuts will directly affect children and families and is assessing potential legal action as its separate case challenging HHS vaccine-policy changes proceeds in federal court.
- The funding decision follows a year of changes under Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., including reworking CDC vaccine guidance and replacing members of the immunization advisory committee.