For families, the back-to-school season can call for all kinds of preparations. From getting school supplies to shopping for new shoes, uniforms, and school clothes. There are plenty of things to check off your to-do list before the kids head back to their classrooms. One thing more important than a new school outfit is the health and wellness of your student. Taking care of your student’s health needs with a local provider can help start the school year off on the right foot. Read on to learn 5 reasons to see your primary care provider before school starts.

• Well-Child Visits Yearly well-child checkups can help providers assess students’ overall health and make sure they’re healthy enough to start school. Visits like this help to keep track of a child’s height and weight to ensure they’re growing at a healthy rate. During these appointments, practitioners can also screen for health problems such as hearing loss, vision problems, or other concerns. Often, parents and patients will have to fill out paperwork that gives information about the child’s health history, which can offer good insight into patients’ overall health. Making these well-child visits yearly can help parents to build a rapport with the practitioners. This can help families to feel more comfortable discussing the health needs of their children. Be sure to voice any concerns about your child’s health with your provider. They can also refer you to the right specialists if your child needs a different level of medical care.

• Immunizations For kids who are attending school, immunizations are so important. Shots can help to protect patients from preventable diseases. These immunizations work by exposing patients to a weakened or inactive form of a virus or bacteria; helping the body to develop immunity to different diseases. Your primary care provider can help to make sure your kids are up-to-date with immunizations. At Chambers Health, immunization services include vaccines for TB tests for college students, the Texas Health Steps Program, and Texas Vaccines for Children, as well as COVID-19 and the flu.

• Sports Physicals If you have any student-athletes in your house, it’s likely that they’ll need a sports physical in order to participate in his or her sports during the school year. This kind of medical exam can help a provider to assess an athlete’s overall health and physical fitness. These visits may also include a review of the patient’s medical history as well as a physical exam and some basic tests. It’s important for young athletes to identify any potential health risks, to discuss things like injury prevention and concussion awareness, and to get clearance to participate in sports.
• Mental Health Checkup The mental health of students and young adults is an important part of overall health. Students who struggle with mental health can have issues with mood and feelings, social skills, relationships, and even daily living tasks. With the right tools and support, students can be better equipped to go back to school and to face any challenges that may come their way. A primary care provider can refer patients to great resources for mental health. At Chambers Health, support can come from counselors who specialize in issues like anxiety, behavioral situations, conflict resolution, school issues, stress management, and relationship management.

• Up-to-date prescriptions Ensure that your child has the medications they need before they go back to school. If your student has a chronic health condition such as asthma, allergies, or diabetes, they may need to have medication to help manage their condition. Registering prescriptions with school nurses or school offices might be required before starting school. Be sure to check with your child’s school regarding medication policies. Work with your primary care provider to be sure any necessary medicines are refilled or to adjust any medications according to health changes.

Do you have a student who needs a checkup before going back to school this year? Visit Chambers Health, an integrated health system that offers a wide variety of medical care. The professionals at Chambers Health go above and beyond to give patients excellent medical care in a comfortable facility that is close to home.

Chambers Health has primary care facilities in Anahuac, Mont Belvieu, and Dayton, serving as your one-stop location for routine wellness or sick visits. The Chambers Community Health Centers are more than just primary care; services for labs, diagnostic imaging, dental, and counseling are also on-site. These health centers provide comprehensive primary care and preventive care, including medical, oral, mental health, substance abuse programs, and services for all residents in the community.

Make an appointment for back-to-school time. Reach out to one of the experienced providers at any of the Chambers Health facilities. Call 409-267-4126 to schedule an appointment, or check out the Chambers Health website to learn more about all the medical services offered.