Concerns go beyond classroom
Health concerns exist for young adults preparing for college, Donna Wyatt from CHRISTUS Primary Care Associates said.
“Young adults should visit their family doctor for health guidance, vaccinations and appropriate health screenings,” Wyatt said. These screenings include checking blood pressure, weight/body mass index, physical or emotional abuse, substance abuse, depression and other psychiatric disorders, high-risk sexual behaviors and sexually transmitted diseases.
Wyatt also recommends making sure young adults are up-to-date on vaccines, such as a tetanus shot, which protects against tetanus, also known as lockjaw. Making sure young adults are up-to-date on the Gardasil vaccine is also important, Wyatt said. Both Wyatt and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend administering Gardasil, a three-shot immunization against human papillomavirus, to both males and females at age 12. Young adults ages 16 to 18 can receive a meningococcal booster shot, protecting against meningococcal meningitis, an infection causing inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. It is fairly rare, affecting about 1,000 people in the United States annually, but can be fatal without adequate treatment.
The flu vaccine is offered annually, beginning in September, Wyatt said. In recent years, certain strains of the flu have caused a greater effect on young adults. Many colleges and universities will offer free flu vaccines through the student health center. If not, they are available at most doctor’s offices, urgent care clinics and pharmacies.
“Family relationships and a teen’s feeling of closeness to their family has been found to be protective against health risk behaviors,” Wyatt said. “Parents should encourage healthy eating habits; proper sleep habits; regular exercise; avoiding tobacco, alcohol and other abusable substances; the routine use of seatbelts; bicycle and motorcycle helmets; responsible sexual behavior and avoiding high-risk online behaviors, including texting and sharing personal information and pictures with strangers.”
If a teen has a chronic medical condition, such as ADD, depression or asthma, he or she should visit their primary-care physician before moving, Wyatt said. This will ensure he or she has enough medication and plenty of time to find a new doctor in his or her college town.
Students and parents should investigate the health-care resources on or near campus, too.
“Students should be aware of the services available at their student health center and either establish care with a primary-care physician like a family practitioner, especially if they have chronic medical conditions, or locate a local urgent care center in case of accidental injury or acute illness,” she said. Wyatt also recommended ensuring teens have their appropriate health cards and know where their insurance is accepted. Children can remain on their parents’ insurance plan until age 26. Colleges and universities usually offer a type of student health insurance, too.
In addition to locating the student health center and local primary and urgent care providers, make sure students know about the other health-related amenities their campus provides. Most colleges and universities have a campus recreation center, offering workout equipment and fitness classes. The use of the recreation center is usually included in a student’s tuition. Many campuses also have pools – sometimes indoor and outdoor – offering a different form of exercise. Student sports fields are also usually available for rent.
If your child was an athlete in high school, but he or she is not continuing his or her athletic career in college, encourage your new college student to participate in intramural sports. This extracurricular will help your child stay active and meet new people.
So as your children prepare for college this summer, remember to make sure they’re just as prepared to take care of their health as they are to ace their classes.
-Tara Bullock
