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Kid's Corner

The State of Illinois cares about you and your children. Kid’s Corner is Be Well Illinois’ way of providing helpful information to support you with wellness needs of your children. Remember, your physician is an important partner in the care of your child. It’s important to have an established relationship with a physician and make sure your child has regular wellness checks.

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November is Diabetes Awareness Month

Type 1 and type 2 diabetes are different conditions, but they both affect the body’s use of insulin. Although type 1 is more common in young people, both types can affect children and teenagers.

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October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Although breast cancer is rarely diagnosed in teens, a small number of patients (less than 2% according to the National Cancer Institute) are diagnosed with breast cancer before the age of 34.

September is National Cholesterol Education Month

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends all children between 9 and 11 years old are screened for high blood cholesterol levels due to the growing epidemic of obesity in children.

July is UV Safety Awareness Month

When kids are outdoors, it's important to protect their skin from too much exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays (UV rays), which can lead to skin cancer, skin damage and aging, and eye injury.

June is Men's Health Awareness Month

So, you are growing up and gaining the new responsibilities that come with getting older. Now, if you are feeling a bit overwhelmed, take a deep breath. Learning how to advocate for yourself without the help of your parents/caregivers can be an intimidating responsibility, but remember with the right tools, you can succeed!

May is National Arthritis & Osteoporosis Awareness Month

It's easy to take our bones for granted. After all, they do all their work behind the scenes. But when a bone breaks, it’s a big deal. Bones take time to heal, even for kids. Having strong bones in childhood is a good start for bone health throughout life.

April is Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Awareness Month

Your intestines (also called bowels) can have something called irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). It causes cramps, bloating (puffiness in your belly area), constipation (when you can't poop) and diarrhea (when you poop too much). If you have irritable bowel syndrome, there are ways to deal with or prevent these symptoms.

March is Colorectal Health Awareness Month

There are 100 trillion bacteria in the human gut. The good ones are important in reducing risk of diseases and unwanted symptoms like stomach aches and uncomfortable digestion. Health benefits go even beyond the belly gut health helps foster an overall healthy immune system too.

February is Heart Health Awareness Month

A diet high in fat in childhood may lead to the development of heart disease as an adult. A heart-healthy diet may help prevent or treat high cholesterol. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that healthy children ages 2 and older follow a diet low in fat (30% of calories from fat).

January is National Eye Care Awareness Month

Your child’s vision helps them take in the world around them. But it also plays an important role in their development. If your child has an uncorrected vision problem, it may affect their ability to learn and reach their highest potential. Having a routine eye exam is important to keep their eyes healthy.