Child Health Month - October 1999
The American Academy of Pediatrics has designated October as Child Health Month. This year, the focus of Child Health Month is on substance abuse, specifically inhalant abuse. In addition, at Framingham Pediatrics, we will also be focusing attention on "Media Matters," a media education campaign of the American Academy of Pediatrics aimed at improving our awareness and understanding of the influence that televison, movies, music, advertising, video games, and the Internet have on child and adolescent health.
During the month of October, we will replace all of the magazines in our waiting room with fact sheets on substance abuse and media education. We encourage families to review these fact sheets together in the office and at home. In addition, we will be handing out a media education survey and brochure to all families who come into the office during the month for a well child visit for a child over one year. The survey will help to focus discussion with your physician regarding some of the issues involved in media understanding and awareness. We have also posted throughout the office excerpts from the American Academy of Pediatrics Position Statement on Media Education that highlight some of the scientific evidence behind our efforts.
The American Academy of Pediatrics has released this month a new position statement on marijuana use that discusses in detail the various medical effects of marijuana on children and adolescents, including its addictive qualities. To read this statement click here.
Following are links to the fact sheets from the American Academy of Pediatrics that will be available in our waiting room all month:
Drug Fact Sheet
It's Too Easy: Drugs, the Internet, and Your Children
Tobacco and Alcohol: Gateway Drugs?
Inhalants: It's Not Cool To Be Dead
Strategies to Keep Your Child Substance Free
How To Prevent Teen Drinking and Drug Use
Following are some links to INFORMATIONAL BROCHURES ON SUBSTANCE ABUSE from the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Inhalant Abuse: Your Child and Drugs
Cocaine: Your Child and Drugs
Marijuana: Your Child and Drugs
Substance Abuse Prevention
Steroids: Play Safe, Play Fair
Following are some links to INFORMATIONAL BROCHURES ON TELEVISON AND OTHER MEDIA from the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Television and the Family
Smart Parent's Guide to Kid's TV
The Internet and Your Family
Understanding the Impact of Media on Children and Teens
The following links are to important information related to themes of Child Health Month in previous years.
Child Health Month 1998 (Alcohol use and abuse.)
Child Health Month 1997 (Tobacco use in childen and adolescents.)
Child Health Month 1996 (Violence prevention.)
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