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Since 1992, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has designated October as Child
Health Month to increase public awareness of the value of preventive health care for
children. This year, Child Health Day is October 4. To promote the health of the
approximately 78 million children and teenagers in the United States, CDC recommends the
following for children and parents. Children should 1) learn to wash their hands to
prevent infections; 2) eat breakfast before going to school; 3) not smoke and avoid the
smoke of others; and 4) exercise and play safely and appropriately use protective gear.
Parents should 1) read to and be actively involved with their children; 2) get their
children vaccinated; 3) get their children health-care insurance; 4) check for health
hazards in their home and eliminate them; 5) place children weighing less than 40 lbs in
child safety seats and all others in safety belts in rear seats of automobiles; 6) seek
medical advice if their child is slow to learn; and 7) avoid tobacco use and limit alcohol
use. In addition, women of childbearing age should take vitamins with folic acid to
prevent certain birth defects.
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