Below are releases on studies appearing in the April issue of Pediatrics, the peer-reviewed, scientific journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

For Release: Monday, March 1, 2010 12:01 am (ET)

MOST PARENTS VACCINATE THEIR CHILDREN, BUT SOME WORRY ABOUT SIDE EFFECTS

Parents who are worried about the safety of vaccines are less willing to immunize their children. To analyze these concerns, the study, “Parental Vaccine Safety Concerns in 2009,” published in the April issue of Pediatrics (appearing online March 1), conducted a national survey of 1,552 parents about their attitudes regarding vaccines. Researchers found the vast majority of parents (90 percent) surveyed agreed vaccines are a good way to protect their children from disease, and that most (88 percent) follow their doctor’s recommendations regarding vaccines, but that more than half (54 percent) are concerned about serious adverse effects of vaccines. The research was conducted at the University of Michigan as part of the CS Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health. Overall, 12 percent of parents had refused at least one vaccine that their doctor had recommended for their children. Newer vaccines like varicella, meningococcal conjugate and HPV were more likely to be refused than older vaccines like MMR. Study authors report that a disturbingly high number of parents – 1 in 4 – continue to believe that some vaccines cause autism in healthy children, despite scientific research to the contrary. Women were more likely than men to be concerned about serious adverse effects, to believe some vaccines cause autism in healthy children, and to have ever refused a vaccine a doctor recommended for their children. While Hispanic parents were less likely to refuse a vaccine, they were more likely than white or black individuals to believe that some vaccines cause autism in healthy children. Study authors suggest public health officials must develop more effective and targeted education campaigns that focus directly on this issue.

HOW MEDIA AFFECT CHILDREN’S HEALTH

Children and adolescents spend more time with media than they do in any other activity except for sleeping – an average of seven hours a day. The vast majority of young people have access to a bedroom television, computer, the Internet, a video-game console and a cell phone. In a review article, “Health Effects of Media on Children and Adolescents,” published in the April issue of Pediatrics (appearing online March 1), researchers review recent research on the effects of media on the health and well-being of children and adolescents. Research has found that media can influence children’s beliefs and behaviors in terms of violence and aggression, sex, substance abuse, obesity and eating disorders. Heavy television viewing has been linked with attention-deficit disorder and diminished academic performance, as well as hypertension, asthma, sleep disorders, mood disorders, psychological distress and depression. Media can also be a positive influence and teach children empathy, tolerance toward people of other races and respect for their elders, as well as convey important public health messages. Study authors provide recommendations for parents, health care practitioners, schools, the entertainment industry and the government to increase the benefits and reduce the harm that media can have.

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The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 60,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults.