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For teens, this is the season for sleeping in, beach trips and first jobs. For their parents, however, it’s time to worry about common summer health risks.
In fact, a new survey supported by the National Parent Teacher Association (PTA) reveals that one in four parents of teens is extremely or very concerned about their teen’s health during the upcoming summer break.
According to the survey, 92 percent of parents plan to maintain open communication with their children to ensure that they have a safe summer. In fact, online safety is a top summer safety concern for parents of teens, and 41 percent are extremely or very concerned about proper decision-making in an unsafe situation.
In addition, the survey reveals that one-third of parents agree that it is important for their teens to have a summer job, to learn work ethic and responsibility.
Here are some of the respondents’ other health concerns:
• Ninety-five percent of parents want their teens to stay active and fit.
• Eighty-one percent plan to provide their teens with healthy food choices over the summer.
• Almost 30 percent feel it is extremely or very important to take their teens to the doctor for a summer health visit.
• Almost 63 percent feel it is extremely important for their teens to get vaccinated against infectious diseases.
• Despite the finding that almost two in three parents will make sure that their young teen is up-to-date with his or her vaccination schedule to ensure a healthy summer.
Although we are faced with COVID-19 this year and for the last 15+ months, there are still people how have not received their first dose. COVID-19 has killed over 3 million people so far, so teens are definitely still at risk, if they are not taking the proper precautions to protect themselves this summer.
Presently there is a vaccine for children between 12-15 and 16+, and unfortunately there are still trials going on for elementary aged children and younger and the CDC has not come out with any new vaccines yet for that particular age group. But hopefully by next year this will be a thing of the past. Because of this, many teens are vulnerable and unprotected against this serious disease.
Some younger Teens and/or children are often undiagnosed, asymptomatic or simply choose not to get the vaccine do to personal, religious or political views. They can then become the source of infection for family members and others around them.
COVID-19 can also be difficult to detect because the first symptoms are similar to the common cold with a mild fever, runny nose and a cough. Symptoms generally progress to more severe episodes, often with a loss of smell or not being able to breathe properly, followed by more serious symptoms, such as hospitalization or death.
The good news is that in May of this year, 2021 “600,000 children, aged 12-15, received their first COVID-19 vaccination Dose” reported by nbcnews.com. Thankfully, us parents, can rest a little bit more easier as schools close for the summer and teens celebrate their vacations with friends and loved ones everywhere.
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Mandu Usoro is a lifestyle blogger, freelance writer, experienced homeschooler and US Army Veteran with a BS Degree in Social Work and AA Degrees in Psychology as well as Health Care Administration. She enjoys spending time with her family, advocating for her special needs son and writing for fun and inspiration. You can get in touch with her on Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn and at https://www.homeschoolspecneedstidbits.com/contact-us
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