The United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has cancelled millions of dollars in federal health grants previously awarded to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), dealing a major blow to programmes focused on infant, child and adolescent health.
The decision, confirmed on Wednesday, affects grants aimed at reducing sudden infant death, improving early autism detection, and supporting mental health services, rural healthcare access, adolescent health, and the prevention of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, according to reports.
An HHS spokesperson said the grants were withdrawn because they “no longer align with the Department’s mission or priorities,” noting that similar cuts were made to other organisations.
The funding cuts come amid an ongoing dispute between the AAP and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a longtime vaccine critic. The paediatrics group has challenged vaccine-related policies introduced under Kennedy’s leadership in federal court and has been openly critical of his approach to public health.
Kennedy has accused the AAP of receiving funding from pharmaceutical and vaccine manufacturers to promote their interests, an allegation the organisation disputes.
AAP Chief Executive Officer Mark Del Monte said in a statement that seven grants were cancelled, including three from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and four from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). He warned that the decision could have serious consequences.
“The sudden withdrawal of these funds will directly impact and potentially harm infants, children, youth, and their families in communities across the United States,” Del Monte said, adding that the organisation is reviewing its options, including possible legal action.
Government records show that the AAP received $18.4 million in federal funding from HHS in 2025, with the newly cancelled grants communicated to the organisation earlier this week.
The AAP has previously broken ranks with federal health authorities, notably in August, when it recommended COVID-19 vaccination for all young children, diverging from guidance issued by the CDC. It also criticised Kennedy in June after he dismissed the CDC’s independent panel of vaccine experts.
In October, the organisation stated it does not recommend the routine use of leucovorin, a form of vitamin B9, for children with autism, citing insufficient evidence—contradicting Kennedy’s public endorsement of the drug at a White House event in September.
The development has sparked concern among health experts, who warn that the funding cuts could undermine critical child health initiatives across the United States.
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