NNH Offers Key Insights for August 12th Children’s Health Day During National Community Health Centers Week

Chicago, IL – The importance of children’s health will be in particular focus at Near North Health (NNH), a long-standing provider of community-based primary health care in Chicago, during Children’s Health Day August 12, 2023 (part of National Health Centers Week) and again on Child Health Day on October 3. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention put the childhood obesity rate of children aged 2-5 years at 12.7% for the period between 2017 and March 2020. The obesity rate was 20.7% for children between 6-11 during the same period. Dr. William Stanford, a board-certified pediatrician at NNH, said that indicates the biggest issues in children’s health are nutrition and exercise.

“With the proliferation of cell phones, video games, and other electronics, there are many obstacles to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. These increase the amount of time children are not physically active and are often combined with mindless snacking,” Dr. Stanford said. “This in turn can lead to problems with dental health and weight-based health conditions. It is important that children get one hour of physical activity per day. This can be as simple as going up and down stairs, dancing, or even walking around the park.”  

Additional Key Factors About Children’s Health

NNH places a significant focus on the holistic well-being of children. The following key factors provide benefits in the development of young people.

• Importance of Monitoring Changes: Parents and caregivers should closely monitor any changes in their child’s behavior, attitude, diet, or physical well-being. Open communication with healthcare providers about concerns is essential for proactive care.
• Supporting Children’s Health: While children need the support of their families, they also need the freedom to explore and grow. NNH stresses the importance of a safe environment that encourages physical activity and fosters healthy boundaries. 
• Addressing Challenges: Children seeking care at NNH often face challenges like food and housing insecurity, neighborhood safety concerns, and transportation issues. NNH tackles these challenges by offering programs like the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) initiative, outreach events, and transportation arrangements. 
• Vaccinations and Preventive Measures: NNH emphasizes the necessity of vaccinations against diseases like polio, meningitis, and influenza. Without immunizations, children are at risk of serious diseases and complications that can be easily prevented. 
• Importance of Well Visits: Well visits serve as crucial milestones to ensure children’s proper growth and development. These visits provide opportunities for assessment, support, and early intervention for any health concerns. 
• Focus on Healthy Lifestyle: Dr. Stanford highlighted the prevalent issues of nutrition and exercise among children. Ensuring children get at least one hour of physical activity per day is imperative.

“At Near North Health, we understand that children’s health is paramount to their future success and happiness. We are dedicated to offering comprehensive pediatric care, empowering families to make informed decisions, and providing support that fosters healthy growth and development,” Dr. Stanford said.

NNH invites parents, caregivers, and families to join us in this collective endeavor to create a healthier future for our children. For valuable insights, support, and comprehensive pediatric care, reach out to Near North Health today. 

Near North Health is a 501(c)(3) non-profit Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) and one of the oldest providers of community-based primary health care in Chicago. We provide medical services, social services, and nutrition education to uninsured and underinsured individuals and families. Our philosophy reflects a commitment to providing access to innovative healthcare no matter where one comes from, what they look like or how long it’s been since they last saw a doctor. Additional information about our mission and services is available at www.nearnorthhealth.org.

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Chris Comes

Ripson Group

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Twitter: @ChrisComes