2020 National Medical Association Pediatric Section Annual Program Abstracts

Introduction: The mission of the National Medical Association (NMA) Pediatric Section is to provide comprehensive state-of-the-art and up-to-date material related to the most recent advances in pediatrics, and to assist the practicing pediatrician to continue to provide the best practices as dictated by evidence-based medicine The NMA Pediatric Section is the forum to encourage research among its members and trainees in pediatrics, and address health issues of national importance to the pediatrician and their constituents Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, overt racism, and police brutality, the health and safety of children and adolescents, particularly those of color, cannot be minimized These manifestations of toxic stress and other adverse childhood experiences significantly impact pediatric developmental and behavioral health Educating the Section on the development and delivery of a vaccine to combat SARS-CoV-2 is essential to ensure positive outcomes in our patients These topics, along with other significant disorders affecting African American youth (HIV, sickle cell disease, vaping and substance use) were all highlighted in the 2020 NMA Pediatric Section Annual Program