By Rhonda L. Randall
With the resumption of school next month, families are engaged in preparation for the upcoming school year that focus on school supplies, schedules and getting back into routines. Another important back-to-school step parents might consider taking before the first day of class is scheduling a medical examination for their child or children.
Because many pediatric and family practice schedules often fill quickly throughout the summer, now is an ideal time for parents to make appointments. These preventive visits help ensure children and adolescents are ready for the year ahead, not only academically, but physically, emotionally and developmentally.
These annual physicals help track a child’s overall health and development, including growth and developmental milestones, immunizations and preventive screenings, vision and hearing checks, emotional and behavioral health.
Beyond these clinical measures, physicals also give parents a chance to complete school or sports forms and raise any concerns before the school year begins. More importantly, they create dedicated time for families and providers to discuss a child’s overall wellbeing, connecting physical health with emotional wellness and any developmental concerns that may affect success in school and at home.
The broader view of a checkup may be especially important when it comes to mental health. A child’s emotional wellbeing may be closely linked to his or her physical health. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), approximately 1 in 5 children ages 3 to 17 in the U.S. has a diagnosable mental, emotional or behavioral disorder.
Young children may experience separation anxiety or behavioral outbursts. School-age children may struggle with focus, stress or social challenges. Teens may show changes in mood, sleep or engagement. Early conversations with a pediatrician can make a difference. A physical presents an opportunity for students to talk about how they’re feeling. These conversations may also help normalize emotional health as an essential part of routine care.
In some cases, preventive care visits and behavioral health support programs are covered under a families’ health plan.
Dental & vision care is also important as part of the effort of keeping children ready to learn. Typical health plans may include annual eye exams that can detect changes in eyesight that may affect learning in the classroom. More than 600,000 children and teens in the U.S. suffer from some form of vision loss. Dental benefits may include routine cleanings and exams that help catch concerns before they become more serious. Tooth decay, or cavities, is one of the most common chronic diseases among children and may contribute to missed days at school.
Scheduling a well-child visit is a simple but important step that gives families the opportunity to address concerns support a child’s overall wellbeing throughout the year.
Rhonda L. Randall, D.O., is the chief medical officer at UnitedHealthcare.