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Tuesday, December 24, 2024

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Bill Clinton is hospitalized for observation and testing after developing a fever; Biden commutes most federal death sentences before Trump takes office; Proposed post office 'slowdown' threatens rural Americans; Report: Tax credits shrink poverty for NM kids, families; Tiny plastic pieces enter the body in ways you'd never think of.

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Biden commutes the sentences of most federal death row inmates, the House Ethics Committee says former Rep. Gaetz may have committed statutory rape, and the national archivist won't certify the ERA without congressional approval.

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Rural folks could soon be shut out of loans for natural disasters if Project 2025 has its way, Taos, New Mexico weighs options for its housing shortage, and the top states providing America's Christmas trees revealed.

Experts remind MD parents to schedule checkups for back to school

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Wednesday, August 14, 2024   

As summer winds down, experts are reminding parents about an often-overlooked aspect of back-to-school readiness: an annual health checkup for children.

Maryland, along with most other states, has seen a sustained rise in chronic absenteeism among students at all levels since the beginning of COVID.

Danillya Wilson, vice president of the Montgomery County Education Association, said checkups are one way to help improve attendance.

"There are a lot of different reasons why we believe that students should get health checkups," Wilson outlined. "They can help identify potential issues. They help reduce absenteeism, because they prevent illness. They can check for things with mental health screening."

Checkups also help keep students on track with the state's immunization requirements.

In addition to a wellness check and physicals for sports, the annual checkups should include vision and hearing screenings, as undiagnosed issues in these areas can significantly affect a child's ability to learn. Since vision issues often run in families, Wilson pointed out problems may show up sooner than parents anticipate.

"We recommend that whatever age parents were identified with a vision issue, if it's hereditary, that they take their child to be screened about a year before that," Wilson advised.

The transition back to a school schedule after a long summer typically includes going to bed earlier.

Dr. Rhonda Randall, chief medical officer and executive vice president of UnitedHealthcare Employer and Individual, said it is important for parents to promote good habits.

"Setting a good sleep schedule; so what time is 'lights out,' so that you're decreasing the exposure to light from screen time and getting a good night's sleep?" Randall asked. "All of those things around consistency help your child feel more confident and secure and stable, and also promote their health."

Disclosure: UnitedHealthcare contributes to our fund for reporting on Health Issues. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


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