Reforming Healthcare For Teens
Now that the healthcare bill has been signed, there are a few things that will take place immediately. Your teen will be covered under your plan until the age of 26 years old. This comfortably covers the teen years. Now, teens are some of the healthiest people in the United States. Sure some of them have chronic illnesses like diabetes and asthma, but for the most part they are healthy. One of the big things they need are reproductive health services.
Yes, teens at this age really need reproductive health services. They need things like STD (sexually transmitted disease) testing, birth control and oh yeah, health checks. This age group would otherwise be so healthy that they avoid health care until their thirties when they realize things have gotten worse that could have been prevented in their twenties. It’s important to encourage your teen to go to the doctor, but if they think that you’re going to get a bill for their birth control, they don’t go.
Be aware as a parent that although your teen has made it out of high school and is comfortably in college or whichever thereafter high school they are doing, that they are still aware of your preference for their sexual abstinence. Yet, this is harder since they are technically adults and have more freedom. Only parents and teens themselves understand how much growing up they still have to, but at least you should expect that your teen will date and possibly become sexually active. Let that fact be out in the open and encourage your teen to get yearly physicals, which include reproductive health checks. Don’t let their fear of you being disappointed in their age appropriate behavior stop them from getting the care they need and learning a good habit of seeing the doctor preventively rather than in crisis.
Medical health check list:
1. Immunizations (booster to tetanus or pertussis, tuberculosis screening, Meningitis, HPV for girls and boys)
2. Check that any chronic conditions like asthma, seizures or diabetes are being managed as they should
3. Screening for any family health problems like thyroid or cholesterol disease, age-appropriate problems likes eating disorders and substance use problems should also be discussed.
4. Reminders about testicular exams, breast exams, skin cancer prevention and healthy eating practices that prevent diabetes, overweight, joint problems and heart disease.
5. Any medical complaints that they have had recently.
Reproductive health check list:
1. Sexually transmitted disease testing (Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, HIV and Syphilis)
2. Birth Control (especially long term methods like implanon or an IUD)
3. Pap smears (the first pap is now delayed until the age of 21 years old).
4. Sexual health questions answered like genital discharges, painful intercourse or irregular periods
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