Children's Health: Information and Peace of Mind
As a parent, nothing is more important than the health of your child. Thanks to the Internet, information about all facets of your child's health is just a click away. Use the Children's Health Web guide to find the most reliable information on keeping your child healthy.
Expand All Guide SectionsOverview of Children's Health
Though your child's doctor may be the best source of information, there are times when the doctor is unavailable or you want to research something on your own. In that case, consult the following Web sites for reliable children's health information.
Insights for Children's Health Information
- Most children's health sites are divided into sections according to a child's age or illness/condition to make finding what you need much easier.
- All of the sites below are considered to be authoritative resources. However, if you're still uneasy about taking advice from Web sites use them as a tool to help you brainstorm questions for your physician.
Top Sites for Children's Health Information
For children's health sites that do it all ...
American Academy of Pediatrics
(AAP) is a reputable organization of 60,000 pediatricians who are all joined in the singular mission to preserve the health of children. From newborns to young adults, the AAP's official site is an authoritative and exhaustive resource on all things concerning children's health.
New York Online Access to Health
(NOAH) offers a concise guide to children's health, including a wellness guide, information on common illnesses and a video library of children's health issues.
For the sites of individual pediatricians ...
DrGreene.com
is the Web site of Dr. Alan Greene. Greene was dubbed "Children's Health Hero of the Internet" by Intel. His site has been a reliable online source of children's health advice since 1995 and features a large A-Z guide to common illnesses and conditions.
AskDrSears
is the official Web site of pediatrician Dr. William Sears. He and his wife Martha, a registered pediatric nurse, provide information, news and personal advice. An online store offers dozens of award-winning books that were authored by the couple.
Baby Health
Although general sites about pediatric health can be very resourceful, below are sites that successfully tackle issues specific to baby health.
Insights for Baby Health
- It is sometimes crucial to seek medical advice that is age-appropriate. For example, the sites below can provide proper dosages for over-the-counter medications for specific ages and weights.
- If you're concerned about whether your child is reaching all of his/her developmental milestones, look to age-specific sites for what to expect.
Top Sites for Baby Health
March of Dimes
is one of the most respected health organizations devoted to the wellness of babies. Find health information on pregnancy and newborns, read the site's blog or ask health questions via e-mail and get answers from experts.
BabyCenter
is a multifaceted site for children's health topics and related news. Find advice from real-life doctors in the Q&A sections, and message boards for parents and caregivers.
Mayo Clinic
makes it easy to get health advice for your baby. Use the links on the left to find information organized by age group: newboard, infant and toddler. The tabs near the top of the page direct you to more in-depth information, multimedia, answers from experts and more.
Kids Health
Find age-specific health advice for your child with these sites devoted to kids health.
Insights for Kids Health
- Many children's health sites offer newsletter subscriptions that can guide you through the ages and stages of your child, as well as alert you to important news. Major toy recalls, for example, would probably be included in news updates.
Top Sites for Kids Health
FDA Kids
site features a list of important health issues faced by adolescents and teenagers. Many of these topics are related to peer pressure and the dangers encountered by older children in society. The FDA offers informational brochures through this site.
Parenting Teens
is an exhaustive resource for parents and caregivers of older children. Health issues, behavioral stages, and social pressures are covered thoroughly on this site. Also, tips on how to deal with such issues and how to address them with an adolescent are extended to readers.
Health Information for Kids
Once a child reaches an age of comprehension, it's time for him to learn about his body and how it works. Naturally, certain topics are specific to age. Below are some helpful sites that provide health information for kids that kids can understand.
Insights for Health Information for Kids
- Many health issues that are considered topics for teenagers may include sensitive material about sexually transmitted diseases, drug abuse and alcohol addiction. Depending on the age of the child and your preference, you may wish to supervise your child on these sites.
Top Sites for Health Information for Kids
For younger children ...
American Heart Association
has a section for kids that's divided into four main age groups: pre-K, K-2, grades 3-5 and grades 6-8. Find age-appropriate resources on topics such as dietary choices, exercise and the dangers of smoking.
KidsHealth
has an interactive health site for children of elementary school age. Fun facts and educational games make it easy to teach your child about health.
For older children ...
TeenHealthFX
offers health advice and information to teenagers. This site is frank about social issues faced by teens and is written in a style that appeals to older children.
TeenGrowth
offers information and advice about teen health, social situations and sexuality. Fun quizzes encourage reluctant teens to learn more about good health.
KidsHealth
has a section called TeensHealth specifically for teens. Find information on diseases, fitness, mind and body health, and more, all written in a tone that appeals to teenagers.
Children's Health Insurance
Children require more frequent doctor's visits and vaccinations than adults, and this can get expensive without insurance. The following sites can help you find private or state-funded children's health insurance for your child.
Insights for Children's Health Insurance
- Rather than listing Web sites for specific insurance companies, we have compiled sites that provide research on and comparisons of major health insurance companies. There are many health insurance plans to choose from if you're paying for private insurance.
- If you'd like to find a pediatrician who accepts a particular insurance, see the "Finding a Pediatrician" section below.
- If you're having trouble understanding the insurance plan your company offers, visit the findingDulcinea Employee Benefits Web Guide for sites that can help.
Top Sites for Children's Health Insurance
For information on health insurance companies ...
Kaiser Family Foundation
offers information on all major health insurance companies, as well as American laws that impact insurance companies and consumers. Some of the legal information can be quite dry for the average reader, but the facts are reliable and important to your family.
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
(AHRQ) presents visitors with a wealth of information about health insurance. Explanations of health plans and comparisons of major insurance companies are written in plain English, making it easy to understand your options.
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
researches health care news and health insurance plans. Use the search feature to find publications on insurance topics of interest to you.
For information on state-funded insurance plans ...
Insure Kids Now,
sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is a national campaign that helps uninsured children of low-income families get insurance. Use this site as a portal to find information about your state's program.
American Academy of Pediatrics
(AAP) offers a long list of online resources for parents interested in Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP).
For children's health care advocates ...
Children's Defense Fund
is an organization that lobbies on behalf of the millions of uninsured children in America. Learn more about underprivileged children who go without medical care and what you can do to help.
Finding a Pediatrician
Although there are many helpful resources available online concerning children's health, nothing replaces the care of a good physician. Finding a pediatrician that's perfect for your family is essential in providing the best for your child.
Insights for Finding a Pediatrician
- The doctor who delivers your baby is also essential to your child's heath. See the findingDulcinea Pregnancy Web Guide for sites that can help you choose a doctor for your baby's delivery.
- Some of the sites below include checklists of what to look for in a pediatrician. These can help you write a list of interview questions for potential doctors.
Top Sites for Finding a Pediatrician
For help in finding a pediatrician for your child ...
American Academy of Pediatrics
(AAP) is comprised of thousands of board-certified physicians. Use the search feature to find a pediatrician recommended by the association.
Gerber
offers a printable checklist of questions to ask a potential doctor, as well as a short guide on where to start your search for a doctor.
For researching a particular doctor ...
HealthGrades
offers instant background checks on physicians for a small, one-time fee. Included in the report is where and when the doctor attended medical school, whether the doctor is board certified and if the doctor has ever been sued for malpractice.
The Cure Our Children Foundation
provides advice from parents on selecting a doctor and a hospital. Find resources for performing background checks on various hospitals and physicians, and contact information for medical boards.
Children's Health Communities
Message boards and chat rooms are very popular for parents and caregivers seeking advice and support. Use the Web sites below to find children's health communities and online support groups.
Insights for Children's Health Communities
- As with all online social networking, you should be cautious about extending personal information like your last name, your child's full name or your exact location.
- Dads may find that a lot of online communities are geared toward women, but that doesn't mean that men aren't welcome. Take a look around a site to see if other dads are participating, or simply join the conversation.
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