Being a teenager and being healthy means knowing where to get answers to questions about physical, mental and emotional health. To get the facts about AIDS, smoking, drugs, pregnancy and sex, schedule a preventative checkup with a doctor or nurse. They can help you understand and deal with health problems before they become too much to handle. Child and Teen Checkups is a specific name for a benefit available to children and teens age 0 to 21 who are enrolled in Medical Assistance or MinnesotaCare. Child and Teen Checkups include a complete physical exam. Vision, hearing, height and weight are checked, and information about nutrition and healthy lifestyles is provided. Necessary shots are given and lab tests run. The preventative checkup also provides time to ask the doctor or nurse about anything that is bothering you. You will receive a full report about the exam and a chance to ask questions. If you need more care, the doctor or nurse can tell you what you need and where to go. Teens should have a Child and Teen Checkup exam at least every other year. These exams can be used as your sports or school physical at no cost to you. Your local public health agency can provide a list of clinics in the area. Members of a health plan must receive the Child and Teen Exam from a provider within that plan. Ask for Child and Teen Checkups by name when scheduling the exam. Remember, you do have choices. Being healthy is one of them. Get the facts, make healthy decisions and learn how to take care of yourself. For more information about Child and Teen Checkups, contact Meeker County Public Health at (320) 693-5370.
