Millions of US Teens May Be Missing Out on Annual Medical Checkups[1],[2] and the Opportunity To Be Screened for Health Risks[3]

***NEWS BRIEFING ALERT***

WASHINGTON, April 9, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Approximately one-third of teens may be missing annual checkups at a time of risk-taking and exploration, according to data from the US Department of Health and Human Services^[1] and the latest US Census.^[2] But this time is also an opportunity to develop attitudes and lifestyles that can set them up for better health. To increase opportunities to discuss key health-related problems and behaviors, from diet and fitness, to signs of emotional distress, injury prevention, and developmental challenges, health experts advocate for annual checkups for adolescents.^[3],[4]

To better understand perceptions about teen health that may contribute to missed annual checkups, the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID), in collaboration with and with support from Pfizer Inc, conducted a survey of more than 2,000 parents, teens, and healthcare professionals. On Tuesday, April 16, NFID will bring together leading experts on health and teen issues to reveal the findings and discuss misperceptions identified in the survey.

WHO: 

• Susan Rehm, M.D., medical director of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases: Dr. Rehm is a fellow of the Infectious Diseases Society of America and the American College of Physicians and a member of several professional societies, including the American College of Physician Executives, the American Society for Microbiology and the American Medical Association. Since 2002, she has been honored as one of the "Best Doctors in America."
• Aria Finger, chief operating officer, DoSomething.org: Ms. Finger's work has focused on all aspects of teen activism. She is a strong believer in the power of adolescents to inspire, lead, support, and celebrate making positive changes in themselves and others.
• Leslie Walker, M.D., immediate past-president, Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine; division chief of adolescent medicine at Seattle Children's Hospital and professor of pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine: Dr. Walker has advocated for the education of healthcare providers on the unique needs of adolescents, especially in the areas of mental health and primary care.

WHEN AND WHERE: Tues., April 16, 2013, 9 a.m., National Press Club, 529 14th St., NW, Washington, District of Columbia. The briefing is also available via webcast.  Please contact Jenn Corrigan for log-in details.

CONTACT: Jenn Corrigan, Feinstein Kean Healthcare, 732-590-3849; [email protected]

An online survey of 504 teens aged 13-17, 500 parents of teens aged 13-17, and 1,325 healthcare professionals, including pediatricians, primary care physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, registered nurses, and licensed practical nurses, was conducted in the United States by Harris Interactive Inc. on behalf of National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) in collaboration with and with support from Pfizer Inc, between December 27, 2012 and January 23, 2013. Respondents were sampled from the online panels maintained by Harris Interactive Inc. and its partners and invited by e-mail to be screened and if qualified, participate in an online self-administered survey.  

[1] Healthy People 2020. Healthy People 2020 Summary of Objectives. Available at: http://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topicsobjectives2020/pdfs/HP2020objectives.pdf.  Accessed March 11, 2013.

[2] United States Census Bureau. Population Estimates. Available at: http://www.census.gov/popest/data/historical/2000s/vintage_2008/index.html. Accessed March 11, 2013.

[3] American Academy of Pediatrics. "Adolescence. 11 to 21 years" (chapter). Bright Futures: Guidelines for Health Supervision of Infants, Children, and Adolescents, Third Edition, 2008. Available at: http://brightfutures.aap.org/pdfs/Guidelines_PDF/18-Adolescence.pdf. Accessed March 11, 2013.

[4] Society for Adolescent Medicine. Clinical preventive services for adolescents: Position paper of the Society for Adolescent Medicine. J Adol Health. 1997. Available at: http://www.adolescenthealth.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Position_Papers&Template=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=1464. Accessed March 11, 2013.

SOURCE National Foundation for Infectious Diseases