What is the American Association of Poison Control Centers?

The American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC), founded in 1958, is a not-for profit nationwide organization of poison centers and others interested in the prevention and treatment of poisoning.

At the time, poisoning was a leading cause of death in children. Since then, AAPCC has provided leadership in the development of a nationwide network of certified poison centers, certified poison center personnel, and continuing education for poison center personnel. By coordinating the only nationwide data collection system for poison exposures, now totaling more than 30,000,000 cases, AAPCC has been able to prompt or contribute to regulatory changes to improve product safety. By working with other injury prevention organizations, poison prevention education has been provided across the country. Unintentional poisoning is still a problem for young children and their families, but is no longer a leading cause of death for them.

Objectives

• To promote the reduction of injury, illness, and death from poisonings through public and professional education and scientific research.
• To promote universal access to certified regional poison centers.

Activities

• Certification of regional poison centers.
• Certification of poison center personnel.
• Collection, analysis, and publication of national data about poison exposures.
• Interactions with private and governmental agencies whose activities affect poison exposures, poison prevention, and poison centers.

Publications and Awards

• The Annual Report of the American Association of Poison Control Centers Toxic Exposure Surveillance System, published every September in The American Journal of Emergency Medicine.
• The member newsletter, The Poison Line, published six times a year.
• Recognition awards to individuals who have made significant contributions to poison control.
• Research awards.

Meetings

• An annual meeting includes scientific presentations, educational opportunities for poison center educators, Board of Directors meetings, business meetings, and committee meetings.
• Midyear meetings of the Board of Directors, Medical and Managing Directors, and other committees are held.

Membership Categories

• U.S. Poison Centers
• Poison Prevention Education Centers
• Associate Institutional Members
• Industry Product Surveillance Centers/Industry Poison Centers
• Canadian Poison Centers
• Individual Members
• Emeritus Members
• Sustaining Members

For membership information, please call (202) 362-7217.

Funding

AAPCC is funded in several ways.

• Membership activities (committee support, member communications, research awards) are funded by member dues.
• Data collection activities are funded by data sales to industry, regulators, and researchers.
• Other specific activities are funded by grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements.