Bright Futures

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Bright Futures is a national health promotion and prevention initiative, led by the American Academy of Pediatrics and supported, in part, by the US Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)​, Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB)​. The Bright Futures Guidelines provide theory-based and evidence-driven guidance for all preventive care screenings and well-child visits. Bright Futures content can be incorporated into many public health programs such as home visiting, child care, school-based health clinics, and many others. Materials developed especially for families are also available.​  

 Features
  • For Professionals

    • Bright Futures Implementation Tip Sheets

      These NEW and UPDATED tip sheets offer practical advice to help you integrate the Bright Futures approach, tools and resources into your daily practice.Learn more

    • Bright Futures Tool and Resource Kit, 2nd Edition NEW!

      Completely updated Toolkit corresponding with the Bright Futures Guidelines, 4th Edition, with key documents that work as an integrated system to assist a health care professional carry out an efficient Bright Futures health supervision visit.Learn more

    • Bright Futures Guidelines

      At your fingertips, this manual provides the most respected recommendations for the top 12 areas of child development in 1 volume, along with the most up-to-date well-child supervision standards by visit. PDF versions are now available for reference.Learn more

    • Medical Screening Reference Tables

      The tables provide an easy-to-use reference table for each Bright Futures well-child visit. Each table compiles the relevant history, risk assessment questions, and action to take if the risk assessment shows a positive result.Learn more

    • Bright Futures Webinars

      Make sure to sign up for the latest Bright Futures webinars beginning in April 2017. Learn about the revised and updated Bright Futures Guidelines, 4th Edition from the editors themselves. Learn more

    • Bright Futures EQIPP Courses

      These courses are designed to help physicians interpret the Bright Futures: Guidelines for Health Supervision of Infants, Children and Adolescents into everyday practice, with practical suggestions for implementation.Learn more

    • Implementing Bright Futures in Public Health

      Professionals can hear recorded audio stories of Bright Futures implementations and read highlights of how Bright Futures is being used by state agencies as the standard for well-child care and as essential content throughout many public health programs. Learn more

    • Performing Preventive Services

      Designed to accompany Bright Futures: Guidelines for Health Supervision of Infants, Children, and Adolescents, 3rd Edition, this manual provides effective ways to deliver the preventive services that are suggested in the Guidelines.Learn more
  • For Families

    • The Well-Child Visit: Why Go and What to Expect

      This NEW handout, The Well-Child Visit: Why Go and What to Expect, helps families prepare for their regular check-ups. Learn more

    • Bright Futures Activity Book—Available in English and Spanish

      To encourage parent-child interaction, the Bright Futures Activity Book provides a fun, informative, and interactive overview of the 10 themes from the Bright Futures Guidelines for Health Supervision of Infants, Children, and Adolescents, 3rd Edition.Learn more

 Highlights and Announcements

  • June 14, 2019

    ​Maternal Transitions in Care for the Mother-Infant Dyad Affected by Opioid Use

    Thursday, June 20, 2019, at 2:00 pm ET

    Register Now!

    The Maternal-Infant Health and Opioid Use project aims to improve the quality of care for women of reproductive age and infants related to opioid use. For this project, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has partnered with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) to identify current clinical practices among pediatric and reproductive primary care providers and develop model approaches related to screening, treatment, or referral to treatment for maternal opioid use.

    The first webinar titled, Maternal Transitions in Care for the Mother-Infant Dyad Affected by Opioid Use, will take place on Thursday, June 20, 2019, at 2:00 pm ET. 

    For more information and to register, please visit: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1682369737852081420

  • June 12, 2019

    ​Consistent bedtime routines may boost pediatric sleep outcomes

    Infants whose parents implemented consistent bedtime strategies had increased odds of developing sleep self-control and prolonged sleep duration at age 3, compared with those whose parents didn't use the strategies, New Zealand researchers reported in the journal Sleep Health. The findings also showed reduced odds of consistent bedtime strategy use among older mothers and those with depression.

    Click here for more information. 


  • June 10, 2019

    AAP headquarters shows support for LGBTQ staff and families

    This week the AAP raised a rainbow flag in honor of Pride Month. The AAP raised the flag to show support for staff, families and individuals in the LGBTQ community. Members can show their support with the We Care for ALL Children & Families sign that can be displayed in the exam rooms, waiting room or office front windows.  

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  • June 10, 2019

    ​How CDC's Milestone Tracker app can help in your practice 

    Encouraging families to download the free app will help families learn about typical development from 2 months to 5 years of age. It is available in English and Spanish with pictures and videos of the milestones for easy understanding. The app has built in health supervision visit reminders and when families come for those visits they will be better able to participate in developmental surveillance, so they can celebrate a child's strengths and focus on true areas of concern. Free fliers to hang in your office are available to download. 

  • June 6, 2019

    ​New and Exciting Results Emerge from Perry Preschool Project

    The Perry Preschool project was a randomized controlled trial that ran from 1962-1967, but then led to a longitudinal study to follow participants through their lifespan. A group of 123 African-American preschool children with risk factors for failing in school were randomly assigned to attend a high-quality prechool program, while half of the group received no preschool education. 

    New results from the longitudinal study examine the life outcomes of study participants at midlife, as well as the outcomes of the children of the participants. Overall, there were substantial positive effects throughout midlife related to criminal behavior, employment, health, cognitive and non-cognitive skills, and other outcomes for participants. Children of participants also experienced positive intergenerational effects. 

    This new research also showed that early childhood education resulted in stronger families and contributed to upward mobility for participants when compared to non-participants. This indcates that high-quality early childhood education can be an effective strategy to break the cycle of poverty. 

    Click here to learn more about the new research from the Perry Preschool Project

  • June 6, 2019

    Call for Focus Group and Interview Participants​

    The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is recruiting pediatricians to participate in focus group and key informant interview discussions. The goal is to gather insights into the challenges and opportunities related to screening, care and treatment options for patients prenatally exposed to opioids. Funded by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (NCCDPHP), Division of Reproductive Health, the activities for the Maternal-Infant Health and Opioid Use project are conducted in partnership with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).

    If you are a pediatrician with extensive or minimal experience working with patient population group, or if you are interested in gaining knowledge and skills about the clinical care related to maternal opioid use, the AAP needs your help! Complete this brief survey to share your interest in participating. 

  • June 5, 2019

    ​#MyYoungerSelf - The Child Mind Institute Anti-Stigma Campaign

    In May 2019, actors, athletes, social influences, businesspeople and more sent a message of hope about their experience growing up with a mental health or learning disorder. 

    Click here to view their stories. 

  • June 5, 2019

    ​How to Keep Kids Reading This Summer

    The Child Mind Institute shares tips and tricks to help children avoid the "summer slide". Some helpful tips include: 

    • Find books and reading materials that are tailored to the child's interests
    • Choose reading material that is at the appropriate level for the child
    • Encourage the child to read aloud
    Click here to read more about summer reading tips. 

  • June 3, 2019

    Wear Orange on National Gun Violence Awareness Day - June 7

    The 5th National Gun Violence Awareness Day, June 7, 2019 will be the largest-ever show of support for the idea that we can do more to stop gun violence, asking supporters to do one simple thing: Wear Orange.

    Originating in hunting culture, Wear Orange acknowledges that America has a proud heritage of responsible gun ownership and reflects the value of human life. And orange is the color that Hadiya Pendleton's friends wore in her honor when she was shot and killed in Chicago at the age of 15 — just one week after performing at President Obama's 2nd inaugural parade in 2013. After her death, they asked us to stand up, speak out, and Wear Orange to raise awareness about gun violence.

    Here are a few ways to participate: 

    1. Social Media and Communications – Show off your support using the Go Orange toolkit, write a blog or article, or amplify content of other pediatricians, the AAP, or your hospital about this campaign on or before this event.
    2. Wear and Share – As you demonstrate your support with an orange tie, shirt or scarf, remind other supporters to take photos in orange. Even more fun: consider creating a unique orange product that you and your co-workers can wear to show solidarity in this cause (i.e. orange medical scrubs). 
    3. Light Your Building – On the evening of June 7, turn your practice, medical school, clinic, house, etc. orange. 
    4. Get Active in the Issue – Use this Prevent Gun Violence Op-Ed toolkit to write an editorial or article in a local newspaper or blog. Or contact your local representatives, donate to gun safety classes for your area, or start a local activist group. For more information about how to support the AAP's advocacy efforts, visit the AAP Advocacy Action Center.
    5. Field Events – Drive participation to a local Wear Orange field event in your area. 
    6. Wear Orange on June 7!

    If you would like to help plan a local Wear Orange Day action, please contact: mlamendola@everytown.org.

  • June 3, 2019

    ​Violent video games may up odds of dangerous gun behavior in youths

    A study in JAMA Network Open showed that 61.8% and 56.8% of children who played a video game with gun- and sword-related violence, respectively, touched a gun afterward, compared with 44.3% of those who played a nonviolent version of the same game. Researchers also found increased odds of prolonged gun holding, gun trigger pulling and trigger pulling toward oneself or others among those who played the violent version of the game.

    Click here to read the full article. 

  • May 29, 2019

    ​Safe Storage Of Guns Could Prevent Up To A Third Of Gun Suicides And Accidental Child Deaths, Researchers Say

    The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that in households with children, all firearms should be locked, unloaded, and stored separately from amunition. A new study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that only 30% of adults in households with children report storing their firearms safely according to the AAP guidelines. 

    New findings estimate that safer firearm storage could prevent up to 32% of firearm deaths. 

    Click here to read the full article. 

  • May 29, 2019

    ​3 Tactics that are Helping Schools Tackle Food Insecurity

    Around 60% of low-income students report going to school on an empty stomach. School food programs help to address this, but in the summertime, other programs are needed to provide students with meals. 

    A recent article highlights 3 ways in which communities are helping to feed their underserved students. These innovative tactics include: 

    • Utilizing a University-owned food truck to deliver meals to high-poverty locations, where children under 18 eat free; 
    • a new Texas rule that allows schools to create in-school food pantries to utilize cafeteria food that would otherwise be thrown away, and;
    • corporations donating food or funding programs to help address food insecurity for students in their communities. 

    Click here to read the full article. 

  • May 29, 2019

    AAP ​Urges Department of Health and Human Services to Reconsider Proposal

    The AAP was one of 31 physician organizations to author a letter to the Department of Health and Human Services, opposing a new proposal that was introduced on May 24th. 

    The proposal could reverse protections for transgender individuals seeking healthcare. 

    The letter noted that a recent survey of transgender individuals found that as many as one in four did not seek medical treatment when needed due to fears of mistreatment by a doctor.

    Click here for more information. 

  • May 23, 2019

    ​Drowning is Preventable. Join Us in Raising Our Voices and Take Action to Protect Children

    Today, Thursday, May 23, from 9 AM- 9 PM ET, the AAP and others will be sharing resources and personal stories to help raise awareness about #DrowningPrevention. AAP and Healthy Children will be sharing videos, graphics, and resources all day on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Follow along with the hashtag #DrowningPrevention.

    Also, check out and share this Drowning Prevention Social Media Toolkit and check out aap.org/drowning for information on how you can contribute to this effort on Thursday and all year round.

  • May 22, 2019

    ​Applications are Now Being Accepted for a Continuity Clinic Pilot Project on FASDs

    Improving Continuity of Care for Children and Families Affected by Prenatal Alcohol Exposure is a new effort to implement a resident-focused curriculum designed to introduce the future pediatric workforce to key components of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs) most relevant to the primary care setting. The overarching goal of this project is to engage pediatric residents participating in primary care continuity clinics to recognize the clinical manifestations of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs), enhance their skills at screening for prenatal alcohol exposure, and implementation of a care plan in the medical home. Up to 5 continuity clinics will be chosen to participate in a 3-month project from July – September 2019.

    Interested pediatric practices are encouraged to review a detailed project description with additional information, requirements and expectations. Priority will be given to practice teams that complete the online application by Wednesday, May 29, 2019.

    The first phase of the project is a mandatory train-the-trainers training for attending physicians scheduled for June 18, 2019 at the American Academy of Pediatrics offices in Itasca, IL. In phase 2, attending physicians will implement the curriculum with residents at their continuity clinics from July – September 2019.

    The attending physicians and resident interns will utilize educational materials provided to reinforce the recognition of FASDs as well as tools and resources to increase screening – and comfort with screening – for prenatal alcohol exposure in young children. Resources will serve to raise awareness of developmental and functional concerns associated with prenatal alcohol exposure as well as strategies to effectively develop and carryout management plans. Learning objectives have been developed to support ACMG competencies regarding patient care and procedural skills. 

 BRIGHT FUTURES/AAP PERIODICITY SCHEDULE (UPDATED MARCH 2019)
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Recommendations for Preventive Pediatric Health Care in Practice​

 About Bright Futures Video

 CORE PRACTICE TOOLS
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Access Core Tools for Each Well-Child Visit

  • Previsit Questionnaires
  • Visit Documentation Forms
  • Parent/Patient Education Handouts
Learn More

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 Screening Time Online Course


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