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National Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Month
Summary: The good folks at the United States Department of Agriculture remind Americans that June has been designated as National Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Month. While fruits and veggies are an important part of everyone's diet year-round, with the onset of summer also comes more variety and availability of nutritious and healthy snacks made from fresh fruits and vegetables.
Suggested angle(s): Good nutrition and childhood obesity are inextricably linked, therefore, addressing the health factors contributing to obesity and the health risks created by it are a major focus of the Arizona Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the percentage of children aged 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. An active lifestyle and a diet enhanced by more fresh fruits and vegetables are both key factors in addressing these alarming statistics. For these reasons, AzAAP's obesity initiative focuses on the 5-2-1-0 formula: 5-fruits and vegetables recommended each day, a limit of 2 hours in front of any screen, 1 hour or more of exercise and 0 sugary drinks. AzAAP members can offer suggestions for parents to ensure that the 5-2-1-0 program is followed and how it can specifically impact their children's overall health.
Potential interviews/locations: Pediatric nutrition experts and other practitioners can offer insights and tips on how to engage children in choosing foods that can reduce their risk of obesity - namely more fresh fruits and vegetables, which are more readily available and in greater selection during the summer months.
National Dairy Month
Summary: June is National Dairy Month, an annual event that promotes the benefits of consuming dairy products - particularly for young, developing bodies. What started back in 1937 as National Milk Month, the event has expanded to recognize the vast selection of dairy products that can help to better manage your weight, reduce your risk for high blood pressure, osteoporosis and certain cancers. Whether it's protein to help build and repair the muscle tissue of active bodies or vitamin A to help maintain healthy skin, dairy products are a natural nutrient powerhouse.
Suggested angle(s): With the launch of summer, National Dairy Month boosters suggest starting a regimen of "3-A-Day" when it comes to consuming dairy products - promoting good health and reinforcing the drive to prevent childhood obesity. According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics' Evidenced Analysis Library, there is some evidence of a relationship between childhood obesity and kids who don't get enough calcium or who have a low intake of dairy products. And, the choices go well beyond milk these days to include cheeses, yogurts, ice creams and much more. What is key here is to ensure that children get their recommended intake of dairy products that are either fat-free or low-fat in content while enjoying the benefits of the nine essential nutrients that dairy products provide. Although it seems as though better nutrition is a recurring theme for June, it underscores the critical need for improving our children's health - and healthy futures - by making good choices for them, and with them, today.
Potential interviews/locations: Pediatric nutrition experts and other practitioners can offer insights and tips on this important topic, including how to incorporate more nutritious, low-fat dairy products into kids' diets and reduce the consumption of sugar-laden drinks.
National Safety Month
Summary: Established by the National Safety Council, National Safety Month is designed to raise public awareness of safety. June is also an appropriate month to focus our efforts on public safety, as the summer season traditionally is a time of increased unintentional injuries and fatalities. In Arizona, water safety is a particularly critical issue since drowning is the second leading cause of death for children ages 1-14.
Suggested angle(s): Bicycle riding, skateboarding, boating, swimming, playing in the sunshine - these activities and many more are synonymous with summer fun. But they can also lead to unintended consequences when safety precautions are not taken and accidents occur. On average, more than 12,000 children nationwide die each year due to unintentional injuries. From insisting on the use of helmets and other safety gear, using sunscreen and supervising children around such potential dangers as swimming pools and fireworks, there are many steps that parents and caregivers can take to ensure that children enjoy a fun, activity-filled summer break.
Potential interviews/locations: Pediatric experts and other practitioners can offer insights and tips on this important topic and are available to discuss the potential dangers of many common childhood activities - as well as strategies that parents and caregivers can employ to help keep kids safe. Site locations could include skate parks, a pool, standing near a and other ideas.
Potty Training Awareness Month
Summary: It's a monumental task that millions of American parents will undertake this year, yet it does not need to fill either the parent or the child with anxiety. We're talking potty training, here, and to generate awareness of resources available to help achieve success in this endeavor, June has been designated as Potty Training Awareness Month.
Suggested angle(s): Books, videos, toys, "how-to" kits and specially-designed clothing items have all been created to help parents in their quest to potty train their toddlers. There's even a website - pottytrainingtips.com - that has been created to aid parents in tackling this most basic of tasks. At what age is it appropriate to begin moving from diapers to independence? What are some "do's and don'ts" that can help get parents started? What should parents' realistic expectations look like? What are some signs that you are succeeding in your efforts? And how can you determine that your techniques need to change course in order to accomplish your potty-training goals?
Potential interviews/locations: Pediatric experts and other practitioners can offer insights and tips on this important topic, including sharing their recommendations for age-appropriate activities, techniques and other ideas for successfully potty training children.
National Child's Day - June 3, 2012
Summary: Falling curiously between Mother's Day and Father's Day, the first Sunday in June has been established as National Child's Day in the U.S.
Suggested angle(s): National Child's Day is recognized as an opportunity for us to reaffirm our commitment to America's children and recognize the power that each of us has to make a difference in a young person's life. This can include everything from adopting literacy/reading programs to making a concerted effort to engage in healthy, family-oriented activities on a regular basis - or at the very least, on National Child's Day! Specific focus can be placed on such pressing issues as foster care in Arizona, which encompasses more than 11,000 children; children with special needs; Child Protective Services (CPS) and, of course, health care.
Potential interviews/locations: Pediatric experts and other practitioners can offer insights and ideas for regular activities and programs parents and caregivers can adopt to maximize the positive impact they can have on children's lives. AzAAP membership encompasses many professionals with specific expertise in such areas as foster care, children with special needs and others.
Father's Day - June 17, 2012
Summary: Its roots go back to the early 20th Century, yet Father's Day, as we know it today, was not officially recognized until 1972 when President Richard Nixon signed the law proclaiming it as a national holiday.
Suggested angle(s): Celebrated worldwide in numerous forms and on various dates, Father's Day is always the third Sunday of each June in the United States. The holiday honors fatherhood, paternal bonds, the influence of fathers in society and most importantly, the role that fathers play in their children's lives. And, according to pediatric healthcare practitioners, the event provides an excellent opportunity for planning activities and events that can reinforce and strengthen the bond between children and their fathers. Further, these activities can likely establish precedents and positive memories that will last a child's lifetime.
Potential interviews/locations: Pediatric experts and other practitioners can offer insights and tips on this important topic, as well as ideas for activities and events to make Father's Day special and memorable. Fathers Day also presents a unique opportunity for pediatric healthcare professionals to address their own experiences - both within the healthcare profession, as well as within their own families in their roles as fathers. Contact us for suggested "fatherly" interview candidates throughout Arizona.
First Day of Summer - June 20, 2012
Summary: Though many Arizona school years end as early as May, summer does not officially start this year until Wednesday, June 20th. Along with summer comes numerous ideas and opportunities for educating the public on topics relating to pediatric health care.
Suggested angle(s): Perhaps the most anticipated summertime activity for many families is the annual summer vacation. And, although the summer vacation can be a time of unsurpassed fun, rest and relaxation, it can also be a prime time for addressing the stress and anxiety associated with travel, as well as tips for staying healthy while on the road or in airports and airplanes. Summer activities also bring inherent risks for afflictions that range from sunburns and heat exhaustion to injuries associated with the myriad activities that often pack a summer vacation agenda.
Potential interviews/locations: Pediatric experts and other practitioners can offer insights and tips on these important topics with a special emphasis on strategies for surviving summer vacation, how to keep children engaged outside of the school year, outdoor activities, safety and more.
National Sunglass Day - June 27, 2012
Summary: It's unknown why organizers of National Sunglasses Day (June 27, 2012) planned the event exactly one week after the official launch of summer, but regardless of the intent, the day provides a great forum for discussing the importance of eye protection at all ages.
Suggested angle(s): While some tiny sunglass wearers (or their parents) may be channeling their inner Suri Cruise, and are sporting the shades for stylistic or privacy purposes, others may have gotten the memo that even regular folk need to protect their peeps from the damaging UVA and UVB rays of the sun. Although you can shell out some pretty high dollars for top trendy styles, the most important thing to look for are the sunglasses' ability to filter out dangerous ultraviolet rays - particularly since kids typically spend more time outdoors than most adults do. Some experts also believe that our eyes get 80 percent of their total lifetime exposure to the sun's UV rays by the time we're 18. How do you select the right glasses for your children? What do you look for and what should you avoid? And, most importantly, how do you convince your kids to wear them when they are in the most danger of exposing their eyes to damaging UV rays?
Potential interviews/locations: Pediatric ophthalmologic and other eye care practitioners can offer insights and tips on these important topics, as well as information on eye screening processes.
Also in June
35th Annual AzAAP Pediatrics in the Red Rocks Conference
Arizona's pediatric community will be gathering for idea exchanges, gaining professional insights, learning and planning for advancements in their practices, as well as their ongoing care of Arizona's children.
WHEN: June 22-24, 2012
WHERE: Enchantment Resort, Sedona
Suggested angle(s): The gathering of the state's pediatric health community could be utilized as a moment to look at the state of pediatric care in Arizona, as well as the movement toward a "medical home." AzAAP leadership is available to help with such a perspective.
COMING UP FOR JULY
"World Population Day" - July 11, 2012
"Parents Day" - July 24, 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 Tripp . Thank you.
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