It’s that time of year! Our kids are heading back to school and there is so much to do! I am sure many of you are scrambling to get your last minute supplies and new clothes before that first day.

We know it’s easy to get wrapped up in the simple things but there are many important things you can’t overlook before you send your child off. When searching for relevant and interesting information to include in our weekly Health Briefs, we couldn’t help but notice all of the awesome tips we have come across to help us prepare and most importantly, to keep our children safe when they start school.

Here is a quick list of some of the best advice we have found:

- About 3% of kids have food allergies so you should do the following:

· Make a plan and get a letter from your child’s doctor that outlines the allergies

· Meet with the school nurse to develop an Individualized Health Plan (IHP)

- Have your child’s vision screened annually

- Make sure your child’s immunizations are up-to-date

- If your child receives medication on a regular basis for diabetes, asthma or any other chronic condition, make sure your child’s teachers and nurse are aware of your child’s needs

This list goes on and on and we encourage you to take a quick look at the two articles listed below for a more comprehensive list of these important notes:

- The Ultimate Back-to-School Health Checklist by New York-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital: http://is.gd/2qEkl

- Food Allergies go Back to School Too, by HealthyHouston Kids http://is.gd/2qEle

Please remember that if your child has any allergies or a chronic disorder such as asthma or diabetes, a medical ID will help communicate their needs in an emergency situation while away at school.

Carthy Picton

American Medical ID

Marketing

You’ve probably begun to hear a lot of buzz surrounding personal health records.  What are these and how could one benefit you?  In one of our recent Health News Briefs we featured a great article on personal health records.  The article explained the benefits and, possibly, even the drawbacks to having your own pesonal health record.  The most important thing to remember is that YOU are in control of your health information.

Read the complete article from the Mayo Clinic: Personal Health Record: A Tool for Managing Your Health.

Did you know that American Medical ID now offers the e•MedTAG?  This is our own 1GB USB thumbdrive designed for storing your personal medical information.  Learn more about the e•MedTAG on our website.

Liz Gabel
American Medical ID
Interactive Sales