Childhood ImmunizationsRecently, there has been misinformation circulating in the media about consequences of vaccinating children. But these unfounded scares have prompted some parents to stop vaccinating their children— a decision which could lead to some serious consequences. |
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BackgroundWhy do we need vaccines? Vaccines help children develop immunities to many dangerous and life-threatening diseases. These vaccines provide children with the proper antibodies to fight these diseases so they won’t have to get sick first. Many parents believe that vaccinating their children is no longer needed since exposure to these diseases is rare or eradicated. However, there is still a chance that your child could be exposed, and if that is the case, it is likely they could contract the disease. If there are enough non-vaccinated persons in a community, exposure to a disease could lead to a deadly epidemic. Are shots safe? |
ResourcesVaccinations for Children, Why and When This website gives an excellent medical overview of why vaccinations are necessary and provides a schedule of when and what vaccinations children need. http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=21429 Kidshealth.org Kids Health breaks down each vaccine that children should receive and provides information on why a particular vaccine is necessary and any risks associated with the immunization. http://kidshealth.org/parent/infections/immunizations/vaccine.html CDC – Vaccine Safety This CDC site provides a news and information hub for all matters relating to vaccine safety. This site provides the most up to date information on news and studies and links to the CDC’s Immunization Safety Office which conducts studies to determine whether a health problem is caused by a specific vaccine. http://www.cdc.gov/vaccinesafety/ |
ArticlesShould your daughter get Gaurdsail, the vaccine against HPV? August 13, 2009 CNN Health Prepare for a Vaccine Controversy August 1, 2009 New York Times Vaccine Safety Communication: An Expert Interview With Patricia Stinchfield, RN, MS, CPNP March 30, 2009 Medscape |
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Childhood ObesityChildhood obesity is becoming an epidemic across America and is a growing health concern among families. According to the National Institutes of Health, currently one child in five is overweight. |
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BackgroundWhy should parents be concerned? Significantly overweight children are at greater risk for health problems and more likely to develop serious health issues later in life. Obese children are likely to develop health risk factors such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, bone and joint problems, sleep apnea, and poor self-esteem. When children develop signs of obesity early in life, it is likely these issues will continue in their adulthood, and may even yield more serious health concerns. What can parents do? In order to ensure children maintain a healthy weight, parents must monitor the caloric intake of their kids and encourage physical activity. Healthy lifestyle habits are the key to a healthy weight. In an effort to reduce calories, it is important that parents do not sacrifice important nutrients in their children’s meals for “empty” calories like sugary rich foods. |
ResourcesCDC – Tips for Parents – Ideas to Help Children Maintain a Healthy Weight The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) provides helpful background on the importance of maintaining a health weight and tips for parents to encourage healthy eating habits. We Can! (Ways to Enhance Children Activity and Nutrition) Materials – Families Finding the Balance: A Parent Handbook This useful, easy to read handbook explains the concept of Go, Slow and Whoa foods, proper portion size, and how to make screen time active time. The handbook also provides resources for further information on real-life strategies for managing a healthy weight in today’s world. Helpguide.org: Childhood and Juvenile Obesity Helpguide.org provides a resource for parents to learn about risks from childhood obesity and offers health diet tips for parents to transition their kids to a healthier diet. |
ArticlesHow can parents fight child obesity? Get to play USA Today February 15, 2009 Initiative Takes Aim At Obesity In Children The Washington Post February 20, 2009 America’s obesity problem Washington Times August 16, 2009 |
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