Pennsylvania Key Focuses on Well-Child Visits for April Health Trend

The Pennsylvania Key notes that caregivers should prioritize well-child visits, a routine, preventative check-up with a pediatrician or doctor to monitor a child’s physical, emotional, or social development. 

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According to The Pennsylvania Key, well-child visits and vaccination rates are on the decline and the trend is worsening. A key driver of the trend is declining trust in government health agencies, medical institutions, and government officials.

Despite well-child visits - which are the Key’s April health trend - being associated with fewer hospitalizations and emergency department use, children miss between 30% and 50% of well-child visits. 

Many families struggle to access and utilize well-child preventative services in the community for the following reasons:

• Busy schedules, lack of transportation, or long wait times for appointments make it harder for working caregivers to prioritize well-child checkups.

• Uninsured families may prioritize immediate needs such as food and housing.

• Families who don’t immunize their children are also less likely to seek well-child care.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children receive 12 well-child visits during the first three years of life. The visits are considered during early childhood as an opportunity to identify and intervene on developmental risk or delay, maternal depression, and household social needs, including stable and safe housing.

The visits are important for all children, including children and youth with special health care needs who may also be under the care of specialists.

For more information on April’s health trend - well-child visits - visit The Pennsylvania Key’s website.