Back-to-school season is a good time to take stock of your family’s health: Has everyone had their annual wellness exam?

While your kids may be required to have a sports physical to participate in athletics, their annual wellness checkup is vital, too. Sports physicals are not as comprehensive as an annual wellness exam.

Why Wellness Exams Are Vital

Sports physicals help determine whether a child is safely able to play a sport. But a wellness exam is much more comprehensive. Kids who skip well-child visits are more likely to fall behind on the vaccines they need to stay healthy. They may also face an increased risk for hospitalizations and emergency department visits.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends well-child visits annually from age 3 through 21. Infants and toddlers require more frequent preventive care visits because they develop so rapidly. The AAP recommends well-child visits for babies and young toddlers at 3 to 5 days old, then at months 1, 2, 4, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 24 and 30.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), well-child visits are essential for:

• Tracking growth and developmental milestones.
• Discussing any concerns about your child’s health.
• Getting scheduled vaccinations to prevent illnesses like measles, whooping cough (pertussis) and other serious diseases.

Conversations with the pediatrician or family provider at wellness visits are a great way to build a relationship that can enhance your child’s health. By speaking freely, you’re adding more information to your child’s health history and helping the provider better understand their wellness needs.

What to Expect at a Well-Child Visit

Unlike sick visits, where the focus is on diagnosing and treating illness, every well-child visit covers a wide range of health needs, depending on your child’s age. These include:

• Vaccines
• A physical exam
• Checks of vision, hearing, cholesterol and blood pressure at recommended ages
• Autism spectrum disorder screening
• An assessment of your child’s emotional health
• For adolescents, time for confidential conversations about issues such as drinking, smoking, drugs, sexual activity and depression

Kids’ minds and bodies grow quickly. Well visits help you keep pace with what they need now. These appointments give you time to talk about topics like:

• Healthy eating
• Sleeping
• Physical activity
• How your child is doing in school, at home and in extracurricular activities

Make the most out of every visit. Before your appointment, jot down three to five questions about your child’s well-being that you’d like to discuss. Take this opportunity to ask about anything ranging from immunizations and health conditions to changes in behavior and problems learning in school.

If you’re looking for a healthcare provider, Aultman Medical Group’s family medicine providers care for patients of all ages, from birth to geriatrics. Many of our offices are accepting new patients – and more than likely, we have a location in your community.

Visit aultman.org/NewDoc to find a provider in your area who is accepting new patients, or call the new patient hotline at 330-433-1264 for assistance with scheduling your appointment.

Sources:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
The StayWell Company, LLC