By Latisha Hull, MPH Candidate—Intern, Public Health Services September is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month. Childhood obesity is often named one of the most serious health issues of the 21st century. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that nearly 1 in 5 school-aged children in the United States is obese. The …
Category Archives: Pediatrics
By Dr. Teandra Gordon, LMFT-S, Clinical Director of School-Based Behavioral Health What does it mean to be present in your child’s life? To each person or parent, it can mean something different. To most people, it means being fully engaged in the moment; not focusing on your phone or any other distraction. As parents, we …
By Carolina Boyd As the summer break winds down and kids are returning back to school, it is essential to make sure they are getting enough sleep. A good night’s sleep is crucial for the learning process. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children between the ages of 6 to 12 need between 9 …
The first day of school is fast approaching. Does your back-to-school checklist include getting your kids up to date on their immunizations? As a parent, getting your children vaccinated in a timely manner helps to protect them, as well as the health of their classmates, friends, relatives and others in the community. Certain vaccination doses …
The lazy days of summer will soon give way to the hustle and bustle of back-to-school. Before your child returns to class, now is a good time to bring him or her in for an annual wellness exam and/or sports physical. These back-to-school checkups are often the only time most children and teens visit their …
By Carolina Boyd, Communications Associate The summer months are a welcome break from school for a lot of kids. For many of them, it’s also a break from learning. Studies have found that many children and teens—regardless of family income or background—lose between two to three months of math and reading skills over the summer …
By Carolina Boyd Texas children are falling behind when it comes to physical activity. A recent report by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends 60 minutes or more of daily moderate-to-vigorous physical activity for young people between the ages of 6-to-17. Unfortunately, 78.4% of Texas’ youths are not meeting that guideline. Childhood and …
By Carolina Boyd, Communications Associate School is out and kids are spending more time outside. However, they aren’t the only ones who like this time of year. Bugs love the warm weather too. Children can be stung or bitten by a wide variety of insects like mosquitoes, fleas, bees, horseflies or ants. Although stings are …
Houston’s historic Fifth Ward neighborhood will be the hot spot for the upcoming Legacy Community Health Fest, an event that will focus on the importance of health care in this traditionally underserved community. The free community-wide event features Keisha Nicole and the 97.9 The Box Team, and a special performance by the Atherton Elementary Drumline. …
By Carolina Boyd, Communications Associate Hot weather and humid conditions can be hard on anybody, but they are especially tough for children. Make sure to protect your kids from the heat as much as possible. Heat related illnesses happen when the body’s temperature gets too high. Infants and children 4 years old and under are …