By Santos Barrientes, Senior Community Outreach Specialist for Health Confianza, CHW, CHWI
As students head back to school, families are preparing for a busy season of learning, activities, and new routines. It’s also the start of fall and winter, when illnesses like colds, flu, COVID-19, RSV, and strep throat become more common. With so much health information available, it can be hard to know what to trust and when it’s time to see a doctor.
That’s where health literacy can help. Health literacy is about finding, understanding, and using health information to make informed decisions. It means knowing when to stay home, when to seek medical care, understanding what your child’s symptoms may mean, and feeling comfortable asking questions if something isn’t clear. Health information should be easy to find, easy to understand, and easy to use.
Back-to-school season is also a great time to schedule annual checkups, make sure vaccines are up to date, and talk with your child’s healthcare provider about any questions or concerns. Preventive care helps keep children healthy throughout the school year—not just when they get sick. Bringing a list of questions to appointments and talking openly with your healthcare team are simple steps that can make a big difference.
In this issue, we’re featuring the Health Confianza Health Journey Roadmap for Parents of Children and Teens. Plus, “Tips for Parents: Talking about Your Child’s Health,” “A Teen Guide to a Healthy Back-to-School,” and a “Building Confianza Summit Recap.”
The roadmap for parents of children and teens — which is part of our Health Begins with Confianza preventive health campaign — is a practical guide to help families stay on track with their child’s health each year. The roadmap walks families through recommended checkups, screenings, vaccines, and important health conversations based on a child’s age. It also encourages parents to write down questions before appointments, keep vaccine records up to date, and remember that asking questions is an important part of caring for your child’s health. We hope this resource helps you feel more confident navigating the school year and making informed health decisions for your family.
Here’s to a healthy school year! May your backpacks be packed, your lunchboxes come home empty, and your thermometers stay tucked away in the medicine cabinet.