Safe Sleep - Infant Information:
http://www.safesleepkansas.org/
New Consumer-Friendly Website on Health Care Reform
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) launched a new website designed to help consumers understand the new health reform law, learn more about insurance options, learn about prevention, and compare health care quality. In addition to providing coverage scenarios based on individual circumstances, it also highlights the issues and benefits of the new law for providers. To see more, visit www.healthcare.gov.
Posted on 7/8/2010
"Protect Tomorrow" is a national education awareness campaign that reminds parents about the importance of childhood immunizations.
For more information visit:
http://www.aap.org/protecttomorrow/
Interviews with Autism Experts!
Parents who receive a diagnosis of autism in their child face a daunting set of questions. To provide them with guidance and support, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has created a series of audio interviews with developmental and behavioral pediatricians, a pediatric neurologist, autism researchers and other parents of children with autism. Listen to Sound Advice on Autism at http://www.aap.org/audio/autism/
“We want parents to use these audio interviews as a resource as they learn about their child’s diagnosis and plot a course of therapies and services,” said Judith Palfrey, MD, FAAP, president of the AAP. “We know parents have many questions, and pediatricians want them to have access to the scientifically based information they need to make decisions about their child’s care.”
“It’s very important for families to educate themselves about autism spectrum disorders and the recommended therapies so they can help develop the treatment plan for their child,” said Susan Hyman*, MD, FAAP, a developmental and behavioral pediatrician and chair of the AAP Autism Subcommittee.
*Dr. Hyman will be speaking at the 2010 Regional 4-State CME meeting.
4/5/2010
AAP Pediatrician-Approved Health Information
In a sea of conflicting and confusing health information, parents can now turn to a virtual extension of the pediatrician’s office. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) introduces a pediatrician-approved health information web site, HealthyChildren.org.
2009 Holiday Safety Tips from AAP
Keep kids safe during the holiday season with tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics. The AAP offers guidance on avoiding fire hazards with your Christmas tree, choosing safe lights and decorations, toy safety, food safety, travel tips and safety around fireplaces. Tips are available in English and Spanish at http://www.aap.org/advocacy/releases/novtips.cfm
Posted on 11/3/09
Sound Advice: Pediatricians Answer Vaccine Questions
CHICAGO -- Parents who are doing their homework on their child’s vaccines can go directly to the experts for answers – without leaving home. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) offers a series of audio interviews with pediatricians, researchers, advocates and other parents at http://www.cispimmunize.org/fam/soundadvice.html.
Interviews include a conversation with former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, who discusses her passionate crusade to ensure all children receive life-saving vaccinations. Dr. Richard Besser, the pediatrician who became the public face of the government’s swine flu response in spring 2009, offers advice to families preparing for a future epidemic. Dr. Ari Brown, author of the popular “Baby 411” guides, dispels common vaccine myths. And Dr. Harvey Karp, the pediatrician who has coached thousands of new parents through his “The Happiest Baby On The Block” book and DVD, explains in clear, easy-to-understand language why vaccines are not related to autism.
Parents can listen first-hand as experts address specific questions related to immunization:
- - Why is it important to vaccinate on time?
- - What vaccines do adolescents need?
- - Why should infants get the Hepatitis B vaccine?
- - Why do kids need the flu shot?
- - Are some children extra-sensitive to vaccines?
- - Why are vaccines required for school entry?
August is National Immunization Awareness Month, which is a perfect time to remind people of all ages to catch up on their vaccinations. On the AAP’s Sound Advice page, parents can hear personal stories of people who have been affected by vaccine-preventable diseases. Frankie Milley lost her only child, Ryan, at age 18 to meningitis; she went on to found an advocacy organization devoted to protecting other children from the disease that took her son’s life. Pediatrician Anna Lincoln tells how pneumococcal meningitis threatened the life of her previously healthy infant son, Wiley, before a vaccine was available to prevent the disease. Now she counsels parents in her practice on vaccines.
“I welcome the questions,” Dr. Lincoln said. “I want parents to understand the vaccines, to understand why they’re important, to feel good and comfortable and confident in their decision to vaccinate their children. Although the diseases may seem low risk, they are not. We have to be diligent about continuing the schedule, because it can easily creep back to how it was before the vaccines, which was a time when children could be smiling one night, like Wiley, and the next morning, be fighting for their life in the intensive care unit.”
An interview with journalist Arthur Allen looks at how the media report on immunizations, and the resulting impact on public health. Ken Reibel, creator of the AutismNewsBeat blog, talks about his son’s diagnosis with autism. The audio interviews also include a message from actress Amanda Peet, who has partnered with the advocacy organization Every Child By Two to give parents the information they need about immunizations. Amy Pisani, executive director of Every Child By Two, and Mrs. Betty Bumpers, who co-founded the organization with Mrs. Carter, describe their personal reasons for promoting immunization.
Additional interviews feature pediatric infectious disease specialists Dr. Joseph Bocchini, Dr. Meg Fisher and Dr. Paul Offit; Dr. Judith Palfrey, president-elect of the AAP; Dr. Renee R. Jenkins, immediate past president of the AAP; and Dr. David T. Tayloe, Jr., president of the AAP.
“Parents are natural advocates for their children’s health,” Dr. Tayloe said, “and the AAP wants them to have the information they need about immunizations so they can make the right choices. The internet is peppered with inaccurate information about vaccines. We want parents to have a trusted place they can go for reliable advice. It’s important that immunization rates remain high or innocent children will become at risk for vaccine-preventable diseases.”
All the interviews can be downloaded to an mp3 player. Edited transcripts are posted.
The AAP has additional resources about immunization for parents and journalists:
Vaccine Studies: Examine the Evidence
- o http://www.cispimmunize.org/Vaccine%20Studies.pdf
Facts for Parents About Vaccine Safety
- o http://www.cispimmunize.org/fam/facts/VaccineSafety_English.doc
The Vaccine Schedule: Why is it Like That?
- o http://www.cispimmunize.org/pro/pdf/Vaccineschedule.pdf
Questions and Answers About Vaccine Ingredients
- o http://www.cispimmunize.org/pro/pdf/Vaccineingredients.pdf
Vaccines: What Every Parent Should Know
- o http://www.aap.org/pressroom/aappr-features.htm
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The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 60,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults. For more information, visit www.aap.org.
Posted on 8/20/09
2009-2010 School and Child Care Immunization Requirements
Aa new combined document that contains both the School and Child Care Immunization Requirements for 2009-2010.
Click here.
Posted on 4/2/2009--------------------------------------*
2009-2010 School Immunization Information
Kansas Department of Health and Environment: Immunization School Information
Posted on 3/1/2009--------------------------------------*
SAFE KIDS Kansas
Safe Kids Kansas Inc., is dedicated to preventing unintentional injuries to Kansas children ages 0-14.
www.kdheks.gov/safekids
Posted on 10/5/2008--------------------------------------*
Kansas Booster Seat Law
www.kansasboosterseat.org
Posted on 1/17/2009--------------------------------------*
DIsaster Planning
Do your children know what to do in case of a disaster? The AAP has put together some great factsheets for parents to help prepare their children. The tips can be found at http://www.aap.org/terrorism/index.html.
In addition, there is an excellent printout of the 4 Step Family Disaster Action Plan.
Posted on 7/14/2007--------------------------------------*
