The Public Health Committee combines the previous work of the Commission on Public Health & Scientific Affairs and the Child and School Health Committee.  Its focus is to represent the Academy in its relationship with voluntary health associations, public health agencies and other agencies and institutions concerned with child and public health, medical services, epidemiology and the social aspects of medicine. and recommends to the Board of Directors policies and projects which recognize and promote the philosophy of family medicine to these agencies and institutions.  The Committee also advocates for the health of children in Washington and promotes child health by encouraging the active participation of family physicians in health programs at school and at home, and collects and distributes information on emerging programs for improving child  and public health and decreasing the incidence of chronic diseases.