1	Because it’s not about lice, it’s about kids.™
2	Who We Are The National Pediculosis Association (NPA) is a health and education 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established in 1983 to protect children from the harmful effects of pesticides used for the treatment of head lice. The NPA serves the public by providing independent and helpful information and resources so that pediculosis can be controlled safely and effectively. The NPA maintains its independence from product manufacturers through the sale of educational resources and its LiceMeister^® comb.
3	What We Do Prevention and Education Educating the public in advance of outbreaks is imperative in order to avoid panic and potentially harmful chemical responses. We encourage each family to do its part at home with routine screening, early detection, accurate identification and thorough removal of lice and nits. Environment Many of the same chemicals potentially harmful to children when used to treat head lice and scabies also are harmful to the environment. For example, lindane, a prescription treatment for head lice, is a persistent bio-accumulative and toxic chemical. The Lindane Usage Reduction Project was the first major program to convince physicians to change the medications they prescribe based on environmental concerns. Research The NPA is at the forefront of identifying lice resistance, issues associated with head lice and disease, new laboratory methods and related public health problems.
4	Why We’re Here Head lice represent an important public health problem for children and families affecting more than 6 million school children each year. Traditional lice treatment products are pesticides and Americans spend over $86 million annually. Children of any age or size are vulnerable to these chemicals, but none are more at risk than the growing number of children treated for illnesses such as cancer, brain tumors, epilepsy, asthma, allergies and AIDS. Jesse’s Project addresses the critical need to protect these children. Parents want and need fewer pesticides in their family’s lives. The NPA developed the LiceMeister Comb and LiceMeister Kit as the non-chemical treatment alternative. Recently published DNA research shows that head lice, like body lice, are potential carriers of disease.
5	HeadLice.Org The NPA’s teaching website is consistently ranked first on Google, Yahoo! and other popular search engines. A monthly average of 90,000 unique visitors seek and obtain help from HeadLice.Org. HeadLice.Org is independent of head lice and scabies product manufacturers. HeadLice.Org hosts the National Reporting Registry for lice and scabies treatment failures and adverse events, reporting them monthly to the FDA’s MedWatch program.
6	NPA Sponsors National Pediculosis Prevention Month Every September In 1985, the NPA established September as National Pediculosis Prevention Month. In its’ 20^th consecutive year, this is the premiere back-to-school health message and is designated on health event calendars nationwide. The NPA drives the All Out Comb Out^™ campaign all year long, promoting routine screening, early detection, accurate identification and thorough removal of lice and nits. The goal is to encourage the highest possible public health standard and enable children to be in school lice and nit free.