November 2024

Vol. 3, Issue 10

With the changing leaves, cool crisp air, and fun fall festivities, this is such

a wonderful time of year to sit back, relax, and enjoy doing the things you love

most. Your commitment and support mean the world to us, and we're truly grateful for your interest in The Pulse newsletter. We are SO VERY THANKFUL you're choosing to stay connected with us!

The Monthly Spotlight

Diabetes Awareness Month

November is Diabetes Awareness Month. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 38 million people have diabetes, and 1 in 5 do not know they have it.¹ It's important for student's to regulate their blood sugar while they are at school. Keeping their blood sugar in a healthy range will help students have more energy and prevent health problems in the future.²

School nurses are such an integral part of a student's care team. Because of that, Children's of Alabama's Diabetes Educators presented at our School Nurse Workshop again this summer. They also have several resources available for you to reference on our My School Nurse Diabetes Resources page . If you missed their workshop this summer, you can download their slides on myschoolnurse.net. Be sure to check back soon for the recordings of their presentations.

GERD Awareness Week

GERD Awareness Week is the week of Thanksgiving. Gastroesophageal Reflux (GER), or more commonly known as reflux, occurs when food and stomach acid flow back up into the esophagus.¹ This often occurs after eating a meal, and causes a burning sensation in one's chest, neck, and throat. Someone who experiences reflux more than twice a week may have Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), which is more serious than GER, and could pose problems if left untreated.¹Treatments vary depending on the severity of symptoms. For some, treatment may be as simple as lifestyle changes, while others may need medication.¹Visit KidsHealth for more information and resources you can use.

KidsHealth - Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

#URKEYS2DRV

Children's of Alabama partners with multiple state agencies to provide FREE teen driving safety summits to schools throughout Alabama. Join us for our next summit on February 11 in Florence.

Do you have students who have diabetes whose providers are at Children's of Alabama?

If you have students with diabetes whose provider is located at Children's of Alabama, please read the following notice regarding dietary needs in the school setting.

Read the notice here

School Nurse Recess

Think First Alabama is part of a National Injury Prevention Foundation dedicated to preventing brain, spinal cord and other traumatic injuries. This program is available to your school FREE of charge, and is designed to provide age-appropriate injury prevention education for children of all ages.

For additional information, view the Think First Alabama flier, or to schedule a session at your school reach out to Julie Farmer via telephone at 205- 638-2729 or email at julie.farmer@childrensal.org

In the video above, you will find a more comprehensive overview of the ThinkFirst program.

Need help educating your students and parents?

Check out KidsHealth

NEW Back-to-School Center
Printable resources with advice on children's health, behavior, and growth from before birth through the teenage years
Information on a variety of topics including how the body works, homework help, and more
Approved by doctors, and has separate sections written specifically for parents, teens, and kids

If you have any suggestions on future content you would like to see featured in our newsletter, please reach out to us via email at healthedu.safety@childrensal.org.

Inside Pediatrics

Inside Pediatrics is a free monthly podcast series featuring specialists at Children’s of Alabama and the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). Episodes cover topics related to child health and wellness, research and treatment, and frequently complement articles appearing in Inside Pediatrics magazine.