September brings a fresh start, the kids are back in school, schedules are getting busier and families are settling into their routines. It's also a great time to make your child's and your own health a priority.
September is recognized as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about childhood cancers and the importance of supporting children and families affected by these diseases. While we cannot prevent every childhood illness, there are important steps parents can take to protect their children's health now and help set them up for a healthier future.
Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is an extremely common virus and certain types of HPV can cause several types of cancers later in life. One of the ways to help prevent cancer is to get your children (boys & girls, beginning as early as 9 years of age) vaccinated against HPV.
The vaccine works best when given before exposure to HPV, which is one of the reasons it's important to talk to your child's primary care provider.
For more information about HPV and the HPV vaccine parents can visit the CDC's HPV vaccination information website page HPV Vaccine Recommendations | HPV | CDC
CHC offers the HPV vaccine.
One of the best things you can do as a parent for your child is to make their annual well-child visit part of their routine. These visits give your child's primary care provider an opportunity to monitor their growth and development, discuss nutrition, physical activity, sleep, mental health, review immunizations and complete recommended screenings. The annual visit can also provide a chance to identify concerns early--sometimes before a child or parent notices that something may be wrong.
Just as important, regular visits to a primary care provider help children become more comfortable with healthcare. What matters is that your child learns that going to their primary care provider is a normal and important part of taking care of themselves.
Parents are their children's most important role models. Children learn by watching the adults around them. So, it’s important that when you set up your child appointments, you set up yours as well.
At Community Health Connections we have pediatric providers as well as family medicine providers, who care for patients of all ages. Our family medicine providers care for children, teens, adults and parents, which makes it possible for families to receive comprehensive care in one place.
As the school year gets underway, please take a moment to put your child's health and your own on the calendar.
To learn more about becoming a new patient at CHC please visit our website CHCFHC | Become-A-Patient
Wondering what happens at an annual well-child or physical appointment?
AAP Schedule of Well-Child Care Visits - HealthyChildren.org
If you missed our August blog post by Casie Short, PA-C be sure to read her article about the importance of all vaccinations and immunizations. It's a great companion to this month's message.
Here's to a happy healthy school year and developing healthy habits that last a lifetime!
Shea Goudreau, PA-C, Associate Medical Director
Community Health Connections now offers walk-in vaccination clinics at our Gardner & South Gardner Community Health Center
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