About

About Bright Futures

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If you are new to the Bright Futures Guidelines, this 2-minute video provides information you need to get started using the Bright Futures recommendations in your health promotion and disease prevention practices and with programs and families in your community.

Bright Futures Implementation Goals

The primary goal of Bright Futures implementation is to support primary care practices (medical homes) in providing well-child and adolescent care according to Bright Futures: Guidelines for Health Supervision of Infants, Children, and Adolescents. Settings for Bright Futures implementation include private practices, hospital-based or hospital-affiliated clinics, resident continuity clinics, school-based health centers, public health clinics, community health centers, Indian Health Service clinics, and other primary care facilities.

A complementary goal is to provide home visitors, public health nurses, early child care and education professionals (including Head Start), school nurses, and nutritionists with an understanding of Bright Futures materials so that they can align their health promotion efforts with the recommendations in the Bright Futures Guidelines. This objective will ensure that patients receive information and support that is consistent from family and youth perspectives.

Academic health institutions, health professional organizations, state agencies, and health insurance companies are equally committed to helping health care practitioners and other professionals who work with children, youth, and families achieve the above goals. These combined efforts support parents in their role as health promotion experts for their family and allow them to partner effectively with all of their health professionals.

Background: The Origins and History of Bright Futures

Nearly 25 years ago, a multidisciplinary group of pediatric health care experts and family representatives were asked to imagine our country's health picture if every child in America could look forward to a bright future—regardless of race, religion, background, income, politics, or any other factor. This group, convened by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), and the Medicaid Bureau (part of the Health Care Financing Administration, now the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services [CMS]), expressed its vision in the Bright Futures Children's Health Charter, which set the stage for the 1st Edition of the Bright Futures: Guidelines for Health Supervision of Infants, Children, and Adolescents in 1994.

The 2nd Edition of the Guidelines was released in 2000 and updated in 2002, under the auspices of the National Center for Education in Maternal and Child Health at Georgetown University. By this time, its use in the field was growing. The Guidelines were being embraced by physicians, pediatric residents, nurse practitioners, and others who care for children, including families. State agencies, in particular Medicaid agencies responsible for administering the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment (EPSDT) programs, were integrating the recommendations into covered services for infants and young children.

In 2002, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) established the Bright Futures National Center (BFNC) to spearhead implementation efforts and update the Guidelines for a third time. Since the release of the 3rd Edition of the Bright Futures Guidelines in 2008, implementation in clinical practice, public health, and many other settings in the community, such as school health centers, child care settings, and home visiting programs, has steadily increased. Family Voices, a national grassroots network, has been an important partner over the years, translating the health supervision Guidelines into family-friendly materials to encourage the integral partnership between families and their health care providers as promoted by Bright Futures.

The BFNC at the AAP continues to provide the leadership to put the Guidelines and related tools and resources into practice across the country. It provides technical assistance to states and communities to facilitate implementation, offers additional tools and resources to encourage use in different settings and by different disciplines, and promotes the use of Bright Futures Preventive Services Measures in clinical practice and in quality improvement efforts. The BFNC also is coordinating the effort to update the Guidelines by 2015 with the contributions of leading experts in many fields under the guidance of the Bright Futures editors and the Bright Futures Steering Committee members.

In cooperation with the Academic Pediatric Association (APA), the BFNC at the AAP also supports the Bright Futures Young Investigator Award (YIA) Program, funded by HRSA's MCHB. This program funds projects aimed at enhancing the effectiveness and evidence base for health supervision in primary care, consistent with the Bright Futures: Guidelines for Health Supervision for Infants, Children, and Adolescent, 3rd Edition. To learn more about this funding opportunity and recent accomplishments, visit the Young Investigators Preventive Services Research page.

Bright Futures Advisors

Bright Futures Guidelines, 4th Edition Editors and Expert Panels
Bright Futures Co-Editors
Joseph F. Hagan Jr, MD, FAAP
American Academy of Pediatrics
Hagan & Rinehart Pediatrics, PLLC
Judith S. Shaw, EdD, MPH, RN, FAAP
Academic Pediatric Association Representative
Executive Director, Vermont Child Health Improvement Program
Executive Director, National Improvement Partnership Network

Paula M. Duncan, MD, FAAP
Bright Futures Steering Committee Member and PIAC Chairperson
Expert Panels
Infancy
Co-Chairpersons
Deborah Campbell, MD, FAAP
Barbara Deloian, PhD, RN, CPNP, IBCLC, FAANP
Members
George J. Cohen, MD, FAAP (Retired)
Tumaini R. Coker, MD, MBA
Elizabeth P. Elliott, MS, PA-C
Penelope Knapp, MD, FAAP, FAPA, FAACP
Dipesh Navsaria, MD, MPH, MSLIS, FAAP
Beth Potter, MD
Rocio Quinonez, DMD, MS, MPH, FRCDC
Karyl Rickard, PhD, RD, FADA
Melissa Clark Vickers, MEd

Early Childhood
Co-Chairpersons
Donald B. Middleton, MD, FAAP
Cynthia S. Minkovitz, MD, MPP, FAAP

Members
Joseph M. Carrillo, MD, FAAP
Nan Gaylord, PhD, RN, CPNP-PC
Peter A. Gorski, MD, MPA, FAAP
Manuel E. Jimenez, MD, MS, FAAP
Christopher A. Kus, MD, MPH, FAAP
Francisco Ramos-Gomez, DDS, MS, MPH
Madeleine Sigman-Grant, PhD, RD

Middle Childhood
Edward Goldson, MD, FAAP
Bonnie A Spear PhD, RDN

Members
Scott W. Cashion, DDS
Paula L. Coates, DDS, MS
Arthur Lavin, MD, FAAP
Robert C. Lee, DO, MS, FAAP
Beth A. MacDonald
Eve Spratt, MD, MS
Anne Turner-Henson, PhD, RN, FAAN
Jane A. Weida, MD, FAAFP

Adolescence
Co-Chairpersons
Frances E. Biagioli, MD
Martin M. Fisher, MD, FAAP

Members
Pamela Burke, PhD, RN, FNP, PNP, FSAHM
Shakeeb Chinoy, MD
Arthur B. Elster, MD, FAAP
Katrina Holt, MPH, MS, RD
M. Susan Jay, MD, FAAP
Jaime Martinez, MD, FAAP
Vaughn I. Rickert, PsyD (Deceased)
Scott D. Smith, DDS, MS
Bright Futures Project Implementation Advisory Committee (PIAC)
Paula K. Duncan, MD, FAAP
American Academy of Pediatrics

Christopher M. Barry, PA-C, MMSc
American Academy of Physician Assistants
Martha Dewey Bergren, DNS, RN, NCSN, FNASN, FASHA
National Association of School Nurses
Gregory S. Blaschke, MD, MPH, FAAP
Oregon Health & Science University
Doernbecher Children's Hospital
Laura Brey, MS
National Association of School-Based Health Centers
Paul Casamassimo, DDS
American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
James J. Crall, DDS, ScD
American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry

Michael Fraser, PhD, CAE
Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs

Sandra Hassink, MD, FAAP
Thomas Jefferson University
Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children
Christopher Kus, MD, MPH, FAAP
Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs
Sharon Moffatt, RN, BSN, MS
Association of State and Territorial Health Officials

Richard E. Rainey, MD, FAAP
Blue Cross Blue Shield Association

Beth Rezet, MD, FAAP
Association of Pediatric Program Directors

Bonnie A. Spear, PhD, RDN
American Dietetic Association

National Association of Community Health Centers, Representative

Myrtis Sullivan, MD, MPH, FAAP
National Medical Association

Felicia K. Taylor, MBA
National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners

Modena Wilson, MD, MPH, FAAP
American Medical Association
Bright Futures Steering Committee
Members

Family Voices Representative
Edward S. Curry, MD, FAAP
American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Practice & Ambulatory Medicine
Kaiser Permanente
Paula M. Duncan, MD, FAAP
Professor of Pediatrics, University of Vermont College of Medicine
National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners Representative
Joseph F. Hagan Jr, MD, FAAP
American Academy of Pediatrics
Hagan & Rinehart Pediatrics, PLLC
Judith S. Shaw, EdD, MPH, RN, FAAP
Academic Pediatric Association Representative
Executive Director, Vermont Child Health Improvement Program
Executive Director, National Improvement Partnership Network
Jack T. Swanson, MD, FAAP
American Academy of Pediatrics
McFarland Clinic

FAQs

What changes were made in the 2017 update of the Bright Futures/American Academy of Pediatrics Periodicity Schedule?
Visit the latest Bright Futures/American Academy of Pediatrics Periodicity Schedule
Summary of Changes
HEARING
- Timing and follow-up of the screening recommendations for hearing during the infancy visits have been delineated.
- Adolescent hearing risk assessment has changed to screening once during each time period.
PSYCHOSOCIAL/BEHAVIORAL ASSESSMENT
- An accompanying footnote (#13) has been added.
TOBACCO, ALCOHOL, OR DRUG USE ASSESSMENT
- The header was updated to be consistent with recommendations.
DEPRESSION SCREENING
- Adolescent depression screening begins routinely at 12 years of age.
MATERNAL DEPRESSION SCREENING
- Screening for maternal depression at 1-, 2-, 4-, and 6-month visits has been added.
NEWBORN BLOOD
- Timing and follow-up of the newborn blood screening recommendations have been delineated.
NEWBORN BILIRUBIN
- Screening for bilirubin concentration at the newborn visit has been added.
DYSLIPIDEMIA
- Screening for dyslipidemia has been updated to occur once between 9 and 11 years of age, and once between 17 and 21 years of age.
SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS (STIs)
- An accompanying footnote (#29) has been added.
HIV
- Screening for HIV has been updated to occur once between 15 and 18 years of age.
- A subheading has been added for the HIV universal recommendation to avoid confusion with STIs selective screening recommendation.
ORAL HEALTH
- Assessing for a dental home has been updated to occur at the 12-month and 18-month through 6-year visits.
- A subheading has been added for fluoride supplementation, with a recommendation from the 6-month through 12-month and 18-month through 16-year visits.
How can I demonstrate that use of Bright Futures is making a difference in my practice or in my state?
Measurable implementation is essential to Bright Futures. Learn more about the Bright Futures measures and how to use them in quality improvement projects at the clinical practice and state level.
How can I arrange for a presentation about Bright Futures for my state or my organization?

Please complete our contact form to request assistance from the Bright Futures National Center. The BFNC, in conjunction with state departments of health, local AAP chapters, and Bright Futures leaders, has conducted numerous workshops to assist with the implementation of the Bright Futures approach. Visit the states and communities section of this Web site for examples of work to expand these efforts.
How can I receive Bright Futures highlights and news?
You can find out about the latest Bright Futures developments by signing up to receive our eNews. Extensive information is always available at workshops at the annual AAP National Conference & Exhibition held each year in October and at exhibit booths at national meetings of pediatricians and other professionals who work with children and families.
Are there any Bright Futures Mobile apps?

Yes. The Bright Futures VisitPlanner app for health care professionals helps pediatric professionals track their patients' health supervision needs and services. It contains previsit questionnaires and patient handouts to customize well-child visits and export reports for efficient use of time and documentation.
The AAP Child Health Tracker gives families access to their children's health information and providers. It also provides AAP guidance consistent with Bright Futures Guidelines, 3rd Edition, on the vaccinations and milestones for each birthday. Also included are parent handouts and other tools for each health supervision visit.
Are any Bright Futures materials available in Spanish?
Yes. The following materials have been translated into Spanish:
- Bright Futures Tool and Resource Kit, 2nd Edition
- Bright Futures Activity Book, a coloring book for young children
- Bright Futures Child Care Partnership Handouts for Families
Are any new Bright Futures materials being developed or updated?
- The Bright Futures: Guidelines for Health Supervision of Infants, Children, and Adolescents, Fourth Edition is now available! It builds upon previous editions with new and updated content that reflects the latest research and provides a greater focus on lifelong physical and mental health.
- The Bright Futures Tool and Resource Kit, 2nd Edition has been revised on the basis of the 4th Edition of the Guidelines.
- Bright Futures EQIPP (Education in Quality Improvement for Pediatric Practice) is a Web-based educational program that enables clinicians to use quality improvement strategies to collect, analyze, and measure data over time and to tests small changes, using their patient data. EQIPP Bright Futures-Infancy & Early Childhood and Bright Futures-Middle Childhood & Adolescence courses are now available. Many other available EQIPP courses address recommendations contained in the Bright Futures Guidelines such as Medical Home, Oral Health, and Immunizations. For more information, visit EQIPP at the AAP.
How do I get a license for the Bright Futures Tool and Resource Kit, 2nd Edition and how can I integrate these tools into an Electronic Medical Record System?
To incorporate forms into an Electronic Medical Record System or to make multiple copies of specific items, please contact institutions@aap.org.
Where can I find the most current Pediatric Preventive Services Codes and information on what’s changed?
The AAP provides coding Webinars, newsletters and fact sheets that outline the various codes for patient visits. View the Bright Future and Preventive Medicine Coding Fact Sheet.

About

About Bright Futures

Bright Futures Implementation Goals

Background: The Origins and History of Bright Futures

Bright Futures Advisors

FAQs

SUBSCRIBE TO BRIGHT FUTURES eNEWS

HOW STATES ARE USING BRIGHT FUTURES

VISIT THE MEDIA CENTER

AAP eSTORE