E-cigarette resources
Four new clinical videos in the AAP Vaping and Smoking Prevention Toolkit give brief guidance on how to screen and counsel young patients effectively.
Because adolescents’ brains are still developing, they become addicted to nicotine more quickly than adults. In addition, numerous toxicants and carcinogens have been found in combustible cigarettes and e-cigarette solutions. Youths who use e-cigarettes are at high risk of transitioning to traditional cigarettes.
The videos are available with English and Spanish captions, and focus on:
- promoting confidentiality;
- screening for e-cigarette use; and
- counseling about e-cigarettes when a patient is reluctant to quit or ready to quit.
The toolkit includes downloadable posters, social media graphics, videos and more to share with patients and families. Visit https://bit.ly/3Gv3RNP.
Health equity resources
New resources can help pediatricians increase health equity for African American and Black children and youths with special health care needs (CYSHCN) and their families in the medical home.
The resources, available at https://bit.ly/3FRNXwu, were developed by the National Resource Center for Patient/Family-Centered Medical Home based on a virtual roundtable discussion with family members, pediatricians and others.
Families noted the importance of communication in relationship-building between families of CYSHCN and pediatricians. They also identified numerous ways pediatricians can demonstrate allyship with African American and Black CYSHCN and their families, including practicing with cultural responsiveness and humility, addressing stereotypes and acknowledging differences.
Resources include:
- an executive summary of the roundtable discussion (https://bit.ly/3zB97xI), which outlines practical strategies pediatricians can use to build stronger relationships with African American and Black families of CYSHCN in their clinic or practice;
- illustrations (https://bit.ly/32VxcmS) that reinforce the importance of equitable collaborations, care coordination and culturally effective care; and
- a health equity literature review table (https://bit.ly/33beUxO) that lists recent publications pertaining to CYSHCN and children with disabilities through the lens of equity and medical home.
Support for pregnant, postpartum patients
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released materials for health care professionals as part of the Hear Her campaign, which aims to reduce pregnancy-related deaths.
More than 700 women die each year due to pregnancy-related complications, and two-thirds of deaths are preventable. Health care professionals play a critical role in eliminating preventable maternal mortality.
The campaign website, https://www.cdc.gov/hearher/index.html, contains information specifically for pediatricians, pediatric nurses and other pediatric staff, who can be an important connection for postpartum women.
Pregnancy complications can occur up to a year after birth. When doing infant checkups, pediatric staff can ask moms how they are feeling and listen for urgent maternal warning signs, including extreme exhaustion, swelling or thoughts of harming herself or her baby.
Emergency department and urgent care staff can ask about recent pregnancy status and recognize the signs and symptoms of pregnancy-related complications.
Campaign materials include posters, shareable graphics and sample social media content in English and Spanish. Clinical resources and tools from a variety of organizations also are featured at https://bit.ly/3LdpQMU.
