The Active Learning Elementary School in Flushing recently became the first public school in the country to offer solely vegetarian food in the student cafeteria. The initiative is part of a citywide effort to promote healthy habits that counteract childhood obesity. The hope is that other schools will also re-evaluate their meal plans and adopt… Read more »
Preventing HPV (human papillomavirus) starts earlier than you think: By age 12, children—girls and boys—should get the HPV vaccine. Vaccination can even begin as early as age nine. The leading cause of cervical cancer, HPV infection is so common that about 34 percent of all 14- to 24-year-olds (male and female) carry the virus. Whereas… Read more »
As a physician who has helped teens in the Emergency Department because they took “the cinnamon challenge,” I have witnessed the dangers of this stunt. The consequences are not pretty. And yes–it can kill you. The so-called “challenge” involves trying to swallow a tablespoonful of cinnamon powder in under 60 seconds without drinking anything. Without… Read more »
Since most smokers began their tobacco addiction as teenagers, New York City officials recently proposed legislation to raise the smoking age to 21. The proposed law could prevent young people from picking up their first cigarette–and avoid smoking’s negative health consequences. Another policy has already decreased adolescent smoking initiation by restricting the point of sale… Read more »
It used to be taken for granted, but bullying is not “harmless fun.” In fact, it makes headlines. Parents, healthcare professionals and educators now realize that this destructive behavior has far-reaching after-effects–not only for the target, but also for the bully and the bystanders. As news coverage of it increases, sometimes the definition of bullying… Read more »
The report highlights the ongoing need for health education and support for adolescents, their parents–and all women of reproductive age. There are several ways not only to ensure that the rate of adolescent pregnancy continues to decline (as it has since 2007), but also to prevent repeat teen pregnancies. These include linking pregnant and parenting teens… Read more »
The case of a Mississippi child “cured” of HIV is a highlight of the 2013 Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections. The situation is unique because the baby received three high-dose antiretroviral medications starting at 31 hours old, and then fell out of care after several months. At 24 and 26 months, tests showed no… Read more »
In Laura Ingalls Wilder’s semi-autobiographical Little House book series, her sister Mary became ill with fever and severe headache. “Far worst of all, (scarlet) fever had settled in Mary’s eyes, and Mary was blind,” the author wrote. Yet it was viral meningoencephalitis (a viral brain infection) that caused Mary’s illness and subsequent blindness—not scarlet fever, according… Read more »
Recess is a necessary for children’s development and should not be removed or replaced in the school day, according to a new policy statement from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Recess gives children time to rest, play, exercise and socialize, yet many schools are replacing it with more time for academic pursuits. Giving children… Read more »
When shopping for the top toys for kids, parents already know to watch for small parts that are choking hazards. But it’s important to remember that many toys that seem harmless can cause eye trauma or even permanent blindness. 1. Avoid playthings that shoot or have parts that fly off. 2. Slingshots, paintball guns and… Read more »
