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Drowning Prevention in Focus
Summary: According to the Arizona Department of Health Services, drowning is the leading cause of death in Arizona among children 1 - 4 years of age. With diligent attention to watching kids, these deaths can be prevented.
Suggested angle(s): The weather will be warming up plenty by the time May rolls around. Small and large bodies of water become even more attractive to young children. It's never too early to start educating parents on the importance of watching their kids around water and water safety tips. During well-child visits, pediatricians often do more than just check progress. They inform and educate parents on important safety issues specific to the child's age. Lifeguarding is not a part time job. Additionally, parents can be reminded about the dangers of leaving their children in hot cars where the temperatures can rise significantly in a short time.
Potential interviews/locations: Pediatric health professionals can offer insights and tips on this and other major safety issues.
"National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month"
Summary: Each year, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) declares May to be National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month. It's a peak season for asthma and allergy sufferers, and a perfect time for parents, family, friends, co-workers and others to learn more about these diseases.
Suggested angle(s): According to the Arizona Department of Health Services, asthma is a major public health issue of growing concern in our state. Within the past decade, statewide rates have continued to increase and are much higher than the national average. As one of the state's most common and costly diseases, asthma impacts more than 600,000 Arizonans, of which 100,000 are children. Further, allergies of all types afflict many times that number. Education and information can be the first line of defense in treating and living with allergies and asthma. Somewhat ironically, although the Phoenix and Tucson areas have high incidences of asthma, the National Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America ranks these two cities nationally as 71st and 81st, respectively, in terms of "challenging places to live with asthma." Pediatric health professionals can weigh in on these statistics and trends, and offer their views of how to best protect children from the issues relating to the asthma and allergy symptoms so prevalent here.
Potential interviews/locations: Pediatric experts and other practitioners can offer insights and tips on this important topic, including for those with younger children as well as teens dealing with issues as they participate in athletics.
"Better Hearing and Speech Month"
Summary: May is Better Hearing and Speech Month, an annual event that provides opportunities to raise awareness about communication disorders and to promote treatment that can improve the quality of life for those who experience problems with speaking, understanding or hearing.
Suggested angle(s): Left untreated, hearing issues can impact a child's ability to learn and communicate effectively throughout his/her entire life. Although hearing disorders are often associated with older individuals, many children are also impacted by this life-altering affliction. Hearing evaluations are an important part of a child's ongoing development and wellness checks. Early detection of hearing-related issues can lead to treatments that can ultimately improve a child's quality of life for years to come.
Potential interviews/locations: Pediatric experts and other practitioners can offer insights and tips on this important topic, as well as potentially share real live experiences.
"National Physical Fitness and Sports Month"
Summary: Since 1983, The President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports has declared May as National Physical Fitness and Sports Month. Individuals and organizations everywhere are encouraged to join in the fun, promoting awareness of the value of physical activity in the pursuit of happier, healthier and more productive lives. The theme for 2012 is "Get Moving America."
Suggested angle(s): Childhood obesity is a key concern and initiative for AzAAP. One of its featured programs - 5-2-1-0 AZ Way To Go! - zeros in on this epidemic that is robbing our children of a healthy and successful life. The rates of obesity are alarming. In fact, according to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), childhood obesity has more than tripled in the past 30 years and the percentage of children ages 6-11 years in the United States who were obese increased from 7% in 1980 to nearly 20% in 2008. Similarly, the percentage of adolescents aged 12-19 years who were obese increased from 5% to 18% over the same period. Obesity can limit a child's physical activity on the playground and athletic field, not to mention an increase in health risks and self image - often even bringing about bullying. For example, a recent report stated that among obese children 5 to 10 years of age, 60 percent already had at least one risk factor for cardiovascular disease, such as high cholesterol levels, high triglycerides and high blood pressure. Type 2 diabetes is also a growing concern for overweight children. This critical topic is directly tied to both a poor diet and lack of regular physical activity. The Chapter has a number of experts to talk about childhood obesity to preparing kids to play in a variety of sports throughout the summer and school years.
Potential interviews/locations: Pediatric experts and other practitioners can offer insights and tips on this important topic.
"National Stuttering Awareness Week" - May 7-13, 2012
Summary: Established by presidential proclamation in 1988, the second week in May is designated as National Stuttering Awareness Week.
Suggested angle(s): 2010's Academy Award-winning blockbuster, The King's Speech, gave an unprecedented glimpse of the lasting impact that a childhood stuttering affliction could have well into adult life. Playground teasing notwithstanding, stuttering or stammering can affect a child's ability to learn and ultimately achieve his/her long-term potential. And, it is critical that those affected by stuttering have access to the diagnoses, tools and treatments necessary to overcome it.
Potential interviews/locations: Pediatric experts and other practitioners can offer insights and tips on this important topic.
"Children's Book Week" - May 7-13, 2012
Summary: Established in 1919, Children's Book Week is the longest-running literacy initiative in the country. Each year, books for young people and the joy of reading are feted for a full week with author and illustrator appearances, storytelling, parties and other book-related events at schools, libraries, bookstores, museums and homes from coast to coast!
Suggested angle(s): Throughout Arizona, more than 800 AzAAP members embrace and encourage parents reading to their kids through the organization's Reach Out and Read Arizona program (RORAZ). RORAZ provides books, at no charge, to children during well-check visits from age 6 months to 5 years of age. The books are age and developmentally appropriate, as well as culturally relevant - from books in Navajo to others in Spanish, from picture books to those introducing easy words. The Chapter just recognized a number of early childhood literacy champions, including Dr. Michael Cohen, for his distinguished service to the Reach Out and Read Program at national, state, and regional levels by ensuring the quality of the Reach Out and Read intervention across Arizona clinics, community centers, and hospitals. Dr. Cohen and other RORAZ providers can give you a first-hand look at the impact of this 14-time peer reviewed program.
Potential interviews/locations: Pediatric practitioners across the state can offer insights and tips on the importance of reading and literacy among children, including inviting you in to a well-child visit with the RORAZ program integrated into the process. (For more on this program, feel free to watch this video.)
"National Missing Children's Day" - May 25, 2012
Summary: In 1983, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed May 25th as National Missing Children's Day to draw attention to the problem of child abduction.
Suggested angle(s): National Missing Children's Day serves as a springboard to educate children, teachers, parents and communities on methods that will keep children safe. A pediatrician's job often includes more than health - but safety and security of children and their welfare. Chapter experts can offer some simple steps parents and other caregivers can take to help ensure that the children in their care can avoid falling victim to the terrible tragedy of abduction? Here in Arizona, one only needs to consider the case of Jhessye Shockley, which focused national attention on the issue of missing children, to understand the importance and potential complexities of the issues surrounding missing children.
Potential interviews/locations: Pediatric experts and other practitioners can offer insights and tips on this important topic.
"World No Tobacco Day" - May 31, 2012
Summary: Since 1987, the member nations of the World Health Organization have designated May 31st as World No Tobacco Day in an effort to further educate the public as to the dangers of tobacco use.
Suggested angle(s): It is never too early to promote healthy lifestyles among children. The best way to encourage children not to use tobacco is to provide them with the tools and education necessary to convince them not to start. However, children also account for nearly 28% of the world's deaths attributable to second-hand smoke. Pediatric health professionals are committed to providing parents, teachers and caregivers alike with the education and information needed to address this potentially life-saving topic. In a 2010 look at trends with teens, it suggested a danger in the use of hookah and chewing tobacco and the misconception from teems that they are not harmful. With the use of a wide variety of flavors to get kids hooked, this is one new trend parents need to know about.
Potential interviews/locations: Pediatric experts and other practitioners can offer insights and tips on this important topic.
COMING UP FOR JUNE:
- "National Fruit/Vegetable Month"
- "National Dairy Month"
- "National Safety Month"
- "Potty Training Awareness Month"
- "National Child's Day" - June 6, 2012
- "Father's Day" - June 19, 2012
- "First Day of Summer" - June 20, 2012
- "National Sunglasses Day" - June 27, 2012
Also:
AzAAP Pediatrics in the Red Rocks Conference - June 22, 2012
For more information on these issues or arranging an interview, please contact one of the following people:
NOTE TO MEDIA: If you know of a colleague who could benefit from receiving these monthly advisories, please forward their contact information to Steve@inspiredconnections.net. Thank you.
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