Focus on kids health

If you are looking for tips on how to keep your child well, this is the right place. Children and youth have different health needs.

Well Child Visits
Children are not alike. They differ in the way they look and learn. Even if children are not sick, they need to see the doctor often. Well-child visits can help children stay healthy. Tests can find diseases early when they are easier to treat. These visits may include tests. Your child’s doctor can give these tests at the right time. You just need to bring your child in based on the plan. If your child has missed some well-child visits, do not worry, but do not delay.

Immunizations - Are all those vaccines necessary?
Immunizations (shots) can prevent some fatal diseases. Pediatricians suggest that all healthy children get the recommended shots. Take a look at the Immunization Schedule to see if your child is up-to-date with shots.

Lead Screenings
Children are at risk if they come in contact with lead. Lead can be found in older house paints, soil, clay products, pipes, and solder. Medicaid program rules say all children must be tested for lead. The test is children ages 1 and 2 years old. All children above age 3 who have not been tested should be given a lead test. This test should be done at least once between the ages of 3 and 6 years. Those at high-risk may need to be checked more often. You are high risk if you have a history of lead poison. You are also at high risk if you live in an old home or apartment. Your child’s doctor can perform a lead test. 

Early Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment (EPSDT)
This is a program for preventive health care and well-care check-ups for children under the age of 21.Your child's primary care provider will do EPSDT checkups, including screenings, shots and referrals, as needed.

EPSDT checkups include:

• Well-child exams and blood lead level testing
• Vision exams identify vision problem
• Oral exams
• Hearing exams identify and treat hearing defects