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Tennessee’s Child Health Week

Child Health Week 2012

October 1-7, 2012

“A Healthy Tennessee Begins with a Healthy Me!”

photo of babiesThe health and well-being of our children is fundamental to the future progress of our state. As Child Health Day, a national event first proclaimed by President Calvin Coolidge in 1928, celebrates its 84th observance this year, the State of Tennessee has set apart a special week to focus on the health and well-being of its children.

Many efforts are in place across Tennessee to promote the health of children. For example, programs like GetFitTN, Project Diabetes and Coordinated School Health offer community-driven approaches to partnering with families, teachers and other caregivers. Initiatives like TENNderCARE, CoverKids, and Children’s Special Services ensure that children have access to recommended preventive care and resources needed to manage childhood illnesses. Other programs like WIC, the State Immunization Program and the Newborn Screening Program make sure young children get a healthy start on life. Collectively, these efforts, along with many others, make it easier for parents to help children live healthier lives and prepare for a healthy future.photo of children

Every Tennessean can have a positive impact on the health and well-being of children. Parents can help their kids stay active and encourage healthy eating habits. Schools and communities can create environments that foster healthy lifestyles. Health providers can promote regular checkups and immunizations and help children and families manage childhood diseases. Together, we can secure a healthier future for all of Tennessee's children.

 


Events Calendar


Child Health Week: October 1-7, 2012

Governor Bill Haslam has proclaimed October 1-7, 2012 as Child Health Week in Tennessee. This year's theme is "A Healthy Tennessee Begins with a Healthy Me!"

Additional information and resources for Child Health Week 2012 are provided below. For more information about Child Health, contact the Department of Health, Division of Maternal and Child Health at (615) 741-7353.

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The health and well being of our children is fundamental to the future progress of our state. As Child Health Day, a national event first proclaimed by President Calvin Coolidge in 1928, celebrates its 85th observance this year, the state of Tennessee has set apart a special week to focus on the health and well-being of its children.

Many efforts are in place across Tennessee to promote the health of children. Programs like GetFitTN, Project Diabetes and Coordinated School Health offer community-driven approaches to partnering with families, teachers and other caregivers. Initiatives like TENNderCARE, CoverKids, and Children’s Special Services ensure that children have access to recommended preventive care and resources needed to manage childhood illness. Other programs, like WIC, the State Immunization Program, and the Newborn Screening Program make sure that young children get a healthy start on life. Collectively, these efforts and many others make it easier for parents to help children live healthier lives and prepare for a healthy future.

Every Tennessean can have a positive impact on the health and well being of children. Parents can help their kids stay active and encourage healthy eating habits. Schools and communities can create environments that foster healthy lifestyles. Health providers can promote regular checkups and immunizations and help children and families manage childhood diseases. Together, we can secure a healthier future for all of Tennessee's children.

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Parents

Child Health Week 2012 will focus on the many ways to keep children healthy in order to have a healthy, productive future.  Celebrate Child Health Week by helping our state’s children and families to lead healthy lives and make good health choices!

How Can You Keep your Child Healthy?

  • Make your own health a priority—you are your child’s best role model!
  • Make sure your child gets regular checkups from his or her primary care provider.
  • Protect your family from the flu by making sure that everyone gets their flu shots every year.
  • Encourage your child to talk to you or an adult that they trust if they are sad or blue, or nervous or scared.
  • Know if anyone in your family is allergic to any medicines or has any health problems. 
    Keep your health records in one place so that you can find them easily.
  • Help your child to get a good night’s sleep every night.
  • Encourage your child to wash their hands often!
  • Teach your children to cover their mouth with their elbow when they cough or sneeze.
  • Keep your kids safe by making sure everyone is wearing their seat belt or is in a proper car seat.
  • Have water as your family’s primary drink. 
    Limit the amount of sugar-sweetened beverages like sodas and juice.
  • Let your kids get out and play or exercise for at least 60 minutes every day. Bbetter yet, get out there with them!
  • Eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables every day.
  • Limit screen time (television, computers, video games) to two hours every day.
  • Eat meals together as a family.
  • Talk to your child and their school about bullying.

Need More Information?

For more information or resources, check out our website: health.tn.gov/mch or call us at 615-741-7353.

Resource Links for Parents

The Teen Years Explained: A Guide to Healthy Adolescent Development
sparkaction.org/content/teen-years-explained-guide-healthy-adolesc

Tennessee Family Resource Centers
www.tn.gov/education/earlylearning/frcs.shtml

Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning
csefel.vanderbilt.edu

Immunizations Schedules
www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
www.samhsa.gov

Zero to Three
www.zerotothree.org

Lungtropolis, Helping Your Child Manage Asthma
www.lungtropolis.com/1010/

American Lung Association
www.lung.org/associations/states/tennessee/

Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America
www.aafa.org/

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Tips for Parents-ideas to help children maintain a healthy weight: www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/healthyweight/children/index.htm

National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute:

Let’s Move—America’s Move to Raise a Healthier Generation of Kids:
www.letsmove.gov/

Helping your overweight child:
win.niddk.nih.gov/publications/over_child.htm

We Can! Tips to Eat Well and Move More:
www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity/wecan/downloads/tips.pdf

Choose My Plate: 
www.choosemyplate.gov/

Healthy Recipes:
www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/healthy_eating/recipes.html

Body Mass Index Calculator for children & teens:
apps.nccd.cdc.gov/dnpabmi/Calculator.aspx

Portion Distortion--Serving Size Wallet Card:
hp2010.nhlbihin.net/portion/servingcard7.pdf

United States Department of Agriculture — Eat Smart, Play Hard Materials:
teamnutrition.usda.gov/Resources/eatsmartmaterials.html

Just for Kids—games, activities & more!

Quest for the Code, Asthma Education Game
asthma.starlight.org/

Lungtropolis, Asthma Education Game
www.lungtropolis.com/lungtropolis/accounts/login/

BAM! Body and Mind:
www.bam.gov

Best Bones Forever:
www.bestbonesforever.gov/

United States Department of Agriculture Eat Smart, Play Hard! 
teamnutrition.usda.gov/Resources/eatsmartactivitysheets.html

My Pyramid Games:
www.mypyramid.gov/kids/kids_game.html

Music Based Health Communications: 
www.groovypyramid.com/

Get Fit TN:
www.getfit.tn.gov/kids/

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Health Providers

How Can You Participate?

  • Write a column in a school newsletter or op-ed in your local paper about a child health topic
  • Add a message about a health topic to your office phone message
  • Speak to a community organization, classroom or parent-teacher organization about healthy
    lifestyles for children
  • Lead a community fitness event, like a walk in the park
  • Volunteer to hold a BMI or blood pressure screening
  • Initiate a quality improvement project in your clinic, focused on reducing missed opportunities to provide preventive care (checkups and immunizations)
  • Hold staff in-service trainings to remind all staff about the latest recommendations for preventive care
  • Host a “healthy recipe” contest in your office and let your patients be the judge
  • Have your patients draw pictures related to healthy living and display them in your office
    during Child Health Week
  • Visit a local school and talk with students and staff about healthy lifestyles
  • Be a good role model for your patients
  • Issue a physical activity or healthy eating challenge for your staff

Need More Information?

For more information or resources, check out our website: health.tn.gov/mch or call us at 615-741-7353.

Resource Links for Health Providers

General Information

Immunizations Schedules
www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/

Bright Futures Periodicity Schedule for Preventive Care
brightfutures.aap.org/pdfs/AAP%20Bright%20Futures%20Periodicity%20Sched%20101107.pdf

CDC Immunization Schedule
www.cdc.gov/vaccines/recs/schedules/default.htm

TENNderCare (TennCare’s EPSDT program)
www.state.tn.us/tenncare/tenndercare/

Interactive Asthma Action Plan Resource Tool
Assess, Monitor and Manage Asthma

Resources for Preventing and Treating Childhood Obesity

The Surgeon General's Call to Action to Prevent and Decrease Overweight and Obesity
www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/calls/obesity/

AAP Overweight & Obesity Resources (Handouts, Coding Resources, CME)
www.aap.org/obesity/about.html

AAP Policy Statement:
Prevention of Pediatric Overweight & Obesity
aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/reprint/pediatrics;112/2/424.pdf

AAP Policy Statement: 
Active Healthy Living: Prevention of Childhood Obesity through Increased Physical Activity
aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/reprint/pediatrics;117/5/1834.pdf

American Heart Association:
Dietary Recommendations for Children and Adolescents: A Guide for Practitioners
circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/reprint/112/13/2061

AAP Clinical Report: 
Lipid Screening and Cardiovascular Health in Childhood
aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/reprint/pediatrics;122/1/198.pdf

AAP Clinical Report: 
Promoting the Participation of Children with Disabilities in Sports, Recreation and Physical Activities
aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/reprint/pediatrics;121/5/1057.pdf

AAP Clinical Report:
Optimizing Bone Health and Calcium Intakes of Infants, Children and Adolescents
aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/reprint/pediatrics;117/2/578.pdf

AAP Policy Statement:
Promotion of Healthy Weight Control Practices in Young Athletes
aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/reprint/pediatrics;116/6/1557.pdf

American Heart Association: 
Overweight in Children and Adolescents: Pathophysiology, Consequences, Prevention & Treatment
circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/reprint/111/15/1999?ck=nck

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Schools

How Can Your School Participate?

  • Add health information to your morning announcements
  • Write a column in your school newsletter or local newspaper about a child health topic
  • Write an editorial in your local newspaper about the importance of school health programs
  • Hold a Body Mass Index screening for students and staff
  • Host a health fair with educational activities and games
  • Have an open house for your school clinic or Coordinated School Health program
  • Have student athletes from the high school speak to youth about nutrition and exercise
  • Organize a cook-off for healthy foods and let students be the judge
  • Plan hands-on activities, such as preparing healthy snacks
  • Collaborate with your school cafeteria staff to highlight nutritious choices in the cafeteria
  • Invite your legislators to enjoy lunch with children in their district
  • Distribute fruits and vegetables as snacks during the day
  • Issue a pedometer challenge (or other physical activity challenge) and have competition among classes, grades or school faculty/staff
  • Host a school-wide Field Day or Activity Day
  • Invite your principal, town mayor, county officials or local celebrities to join a PE class
  • At a faculty or staff meeting, host an in-service on school health topics
  • Add a message about Child Health Week to your office marquee board or phone message

Need More Information?

For more information or resources, check out our website: health.tn.gov/mch or call us at 615-741-7353.

Resource Links for Schools

State Resources

Tennessee Family Resource Centers
www.tn.gov/education/earlylearning/frcs.shtml

Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network
tspn.org/

Office of Coordinated School Health
www.tn.gov/education/schoolhealth/

Tennessee Department of Health
health.tn.gov

TENNderCare (TennCare’s EPSDT program)
www.tn.gov/tenncare/tenndercare/

Get Fit Tennessee
www.getfittn.com

National Resources

Character Counts!
charactercounts.org/

Olweus Bullying Prevention Program
www.violencepreventionworks.org/public/index.page

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

National Alliance on Mental Illness
www.nami.org/

Suicide Prevention Resource Center
www.sprc.org/

Immunizations Schedules
www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/

Bright Futures Periodicity Schedule for Preventive Care
brightfutures.aap.org/pdfs/AAP Bright Futures Periodicity Sched 101107.pdf

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

Office of the Surgeon General Childhood Overweight and Obesity Prevention Initiative
137.187.25.243/obesityprevention/

National Institutes of Health We Can! Program (Ways to Enhance Child Activity and Nutrition)
www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity/wecan/

United States Department of Agriculture:

Fruit & Veggies More Matters
www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org/

National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute:

Let’s Move—America’s Move to Raise a Healthier Generation of Kids
www.letsmove.gov/about/

Helping your overweight child
win.niddk.nih.gov/publications/over_child.htm

Healthy Recipes
www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/healthy_eating/recipes.html

Body Mass Index Calculator for children & teens
apps.nccd.cdc.gov/dnpabmi/Calculator.aspx

Portion Distortion--Serving Size Wallet Card
hp2010.nhlbihin.net/portion/servingcard7.pdf

Surgeon General's Call to Action to Prevent and Decrease Overweight and Obesity
www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/calls/obesity/

Specifically For Educators

Child Health Information & Prevention Resources
www.childhealthonline.org/

Let’s Move for Schools
www.letsmove.gov/schools

United States Department of Agriculture Team Nutrition classroom materials
teamnutrition.usda.gov/educators.html

Childhood Obesity Resource List
www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/pubs/bibs/topics/weight/childhoodobesity.pdf

Connect with Kids
www.connectwithkids.com

PBS Teachers Health and Fitness Resources
www.pbs.org/teachers/healthfitness/ 

Color Me Healthy: for preschoolers
www.colormehealthy.com/

Get Fit Tennessee resources for teachers
www.getfittn.tn.gov/kids/teachers.htm

National Center for Youth Issues
www.ncyi.org/www

Search Institute
www.search-institute.org/

Medical Institute for Sexual Health
www.medinstitute.org/

National Abstinence Education Association
www.abstinenceassociation.org/

The National Institute to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy
www.thenationalcampaign.org/

American Lung Association
www.lung.org/associations/states/tennessee/

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Faith-Based

How Can Your Faith-Based Community Participate?

  • Post information in your congregation newsletter or bulletin
  • Write a column in your community newsletter
  • Host a health event like a Body Mass Index or cholesterol screening or a health fair
  • Hold an open house for programs related to fitness/health
  • Organize a cook-off for healthy foods—let your youth be the judge
  • Plan hands-on activities, such as instruction in preparing healthy snacks
  • Have a “healthy potluck” meal in which your congregation brings healthy food to share
  • Issue a pedometer challenge or other physical activity challenges.
    Set goals and issue the challenge among different age groups, classes, etc.
  • Plan a congregation-wide Activity Day

Need More Information?

For more information or resources, check out our website: health.tn.gov/mch or call us at 615-741-7353.

Resource Links for Faith-Based Communities

Resources Specifically for Faith-Based Communities

Suicide Prevention Materials for Clergy
hhd.org/resources/story/suicide-prevention-materials-clergy-and-faith-based-communities

Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network
tspn.org/

TN Department of Health Office of Faith-Based Initiatives (health.state.tn.us/DMHDE/faith.shtml)

National Institutes of Health Body and Soul:
A Celebration of Healthy Living
rtips.cancer.gov/rtips/programDetails.do?programId=257161

Eat Smart Move More North Carolina: 
Resources for Faith-Based Communities

Lighten Up Forever: 
A Faith-Based Approach to Lifestyle Change:
www.lightenupforever.org/index.htm

Additional Resources

Tennessee Department of Health:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

Shape Up America!:
www.shapeup.org/

Office of the Surgeon General:
Childhood Overweight and Obesity Prevention Initiative
137.187.25.243/obesityprevention/

National Institutes of Health We can! Program (Ways to Enhance Child Activity and Nutrition)
www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity/wecan/index.htm

United States Department of Agriculture:

Fruit & Veggies More Matters:
www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org/

National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute:

Helping your overweight child:
win.niddk.nih.gov/publications/over_child.htm

Weekly Meal Planner:
www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity/wecan/downloads/tip_planner.pdf

Healthy Weight-it’s not a diet, it’s a lifestyle!
www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/healthy_eating/recipes.html

BMI Calculator for children & teens:
apps.nccd.cdc.gov/dnpabmi/Calculator.aspx

Portion Distortion - Serving Size Wallet Card:
hp2010.nhlbihin.net/portion/servingcard7.pdf

HealthFinder.gov provides credible, accurate information to help you choose to live a healthier life:
healthfinder.gov/

Healthy Communities - Promoting Physical Activity:
www.mrsc.org/subjects/humanservices/healthyActivity.aspx

International Society for Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity:
www.isbnpa.org/useful-links/

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Cities and Counties

How Can Your Community Participate?

  • Make an official proclamation for Child Health Week in your city or county
  • Write an op-ed in your local paper about the importance of child health to your community
  • At a city or county council meeting, recognize the efforts of local citizens who
    are working to improve child health
  • Add a message about Child Health Week to your office marquee board or phone message
  • Host a panel discussion about ways to improve health in your community
  • Consider the impact of local rulemaking on child health and well-being
  • Spotlight local parks, community centers, and greenways as places where children
    and families can be physically active
  • Eat breakfast or lunch with local school students
  • Visit (and participate in!) a PE class at a local school
  • Walk to school with local students
  • Get your flu shot and invite the media to watch
  • Record a public service announcement promoting good health behaviors (getting a regular checkup, receiving immunizations, wearing a seatbelt and helmet, etc)
  • Visit local sites that are promoting good health, such as parks, farmers’ markets, community gardens, etc.
  • Host a community fitness event, like a walk in the park
  • Host a “healthy recipe” contest in your office and let local families be the judges
  • Have local children draw pictures related to healthy living and display them in your office
    during Child Health Week
  • Visit a local school and talk with students and staff about the importance of healthy lifestyles
  • Be a good role model for your constituents
  • Issue a physical activity or healthy eating challenge for your staff

Need More Information?

For more information or resources, check out our website: health.tn.gov/mch or call us at 615-741-7353.

Resource Links for Cities and Counties

Designing Active Communities: Promoting Health Lives: www.activeliving.org/
Focuses on how the built environment-including neighborhoods, transportation systems, buildings, parks and open space-can promote more active lives.

Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities: www.healthykidshealthycommunities.org/
A national program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation whose primary goal is to implement healthy eating and active living policy and environmental change initiatives that can support healthier communities for children and families across the United States.

CDC Healthy Communities Program:  www.cdc.gov/healthycommunitiesprogram/
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and its partners are working together to create healthy, thriving communities across the United States by reducing chronic diseases and attaining health equity through training, mentorship, dissemination of effective models, and investments in communities that jump-start local change.

Let’s Move:  Ideas for Mayors & Local Officials: www.letsmove.gov/mayors-local-officials
Elected officials offer the unique ability to spur action and bring communities together in this movement. Mayors and municipal officials are encouraged to adopt a long-term, sustainable, and holistic approach to fighting childhood obesity. This movement recognizes that every city is different, and every town will require its own distinct approach to the issue.

Let’s Move: Ideas for Community Leaders: www.letsmove.gov/community-leaders
Neighborhood organizations and faith-based groups are well positioned to initiate and coordinate activities to encourage healthy living and well being. Trusted leaders in communities and congregations can empower families and communities to make better choices to improve the health of our nation’s children.

Community Toolbox: ctb.ku.edu/en/default.aspx
A global resource for free information on essential skills for building healthy communities.

American Community Gardening Association: communitygarden.org/
Supports community gardening by facilitating the formation and expansion of state and regional community gardening networks; developing resources in support of community gardening; and, encouraging research and conducting educational programs.

Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center: www.walkinginfo.org/index.cfm
A national clearinghouse for information about health and safety, engineering, advocacy, education, enforcement, access and mobility for pedestrians (including transit users) and bicyclists. The PBIC serves anyone interested in pedestrian and bicycle issues, including planners, engineers, private citizens, advocates, educators, law enforcement and the health community.

International Bicycle Fund
Community Bicycle Programs: www.ibike.org/encouragement/freebike.htm
Listing of groups that are facilitating more bicycling in their communities.

Healthy Stores: www.healthystores.org/
The Healthy Stores projects aim to improve health and prevent obesity and disease in low-income communities through culturally appropriate store-based interventions that increase the supply of healthy foods and promote their purchase.

The Food Trust:  www.thefoodtrust.org/index.php
The Food Trust strives to make healthy food available to all by working with neighborhoods, schools, grocers, farmers and policymakers to develop a comprehensive approach that combines nutrition education and greater availability of affordable, healthy food.

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Updated August 2012