Child wellness exams and sports physicals, free event to learn activities that support brain development
Deschutes County Oregon -- 4/6/2011 --
April 4 through April 10 is National Public Health Week and the Deschutes County Health Services Department is recognizing the occasion by distributing helpful safety information each day this week. It only takes a minute for an injury to happen – but also just takes a minute to take proactive steps to prevent accidents from happening.
Each day of National Public Health Week highlights an area of our lives where we should focus on safety. Today’s area of focus is preventing injuries at play.
Week of the Young Child Focuses on Playing Activities to Support Brain Development On Monday, April 12, child advocates throughout Deschutes County will launch a week-long series of events and activities to celebrate the Week of the Young Child. The program, sponsored by the Deschutes County Children and Families Commission Department, is part of a National effort to raise awareness about early childhood programs and education, brain development, literacy, early health screenings, nurturing, parental bonding, and positive caregiver relationships. Activities will take place in Bend, La Pine, Redmond and Sisters, include a talk about building brains on April 12 at the Tower Theater, and a free community dinner and celebration Friday, April 15 at the High Desert Museum. Call (541) 385-1717 or visit www.deschutescountykids.com to see a full schedule about the week of free events.
School Based Health Centers (SBHC) offer well child exams and sports physicals
The well-child visit is extremely important for the young child and adolescent. At these visits the health care practitioner will screen for safety risks and provide appropriate education to keep your child safe. Topics are chosen to address the common risks for each age group:
1-4 years - Firearms hazards, poisonings, falls, burns, drowning, car seats
5-6 years - Bike, streets, water hazards, fires, firearms, and car safety (transition from car seat to seat belt-when is it safe?)
8-10 years - all the above as well as sports safety, bullying, internet safety
10 years and up - All the above as well as education about smoking, drugs, alcohol, safe relationships
Risk assessments don't often get discussed in a sick visit, so the well child appointment is a good way to keep kids safe and injury-free.
Along with well-child visits, the SBHC’s also provide comprehensive physical exams that meet the requirements for a sports physical. SBHC will bill insurance and provides discounts for income eligible families. First step: families with private insurance need to check to see if SBHC is listed in their insurance plan as a preferred provider. SBHC staff also provides students and parents with information about how to prevent sports injuries as well as injuries of all types.
For more information, see your health care practitioner or call your local Deschutes County School Based Health Center for an appointment:
Ensworth (541) 693-2222
La Pine (541) 536-0400
Sisters (541) 549-3183
Lynch (541) 504-3589
Redmond HS (541) 923-8920
Deschutes County Health Services (541) 322-7400
For more information about National Public Health Week, please visit http://www.nphw.org/nphw11/first1.htm or call the Deschutes County Health Services Department at (541) 322-7446.
