children's health

After months of COVID, flu and RSV infections, parents of little kids are kinda losing it. But the data shows kids have always brought home waves of respiratory illness.

Coastal and politically progressive states have passed stronger paid sick and family leave policies than many states with larger rural populations.

Usually, 94% to 95% of kindergartners are vaccinated against measles, tetanus and other diseases. The vaccination rates dropped below 94% in the 2020-21 school year, and to 93% in 2021-22.

Instead of "watchful waiting," the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends intensive lifestyle and behavior therapy for young kids; and for older children, medication.

The 2022 Florida Child Well-Being Index ranks the 67 counties based on data from the national Kids Count project. It compares child well-being on 16 indicators in the areas of economic well-being, education, health and family and community.

A new U.S. study finds more than 7,000 confirmed cases of kids younger than 6 eating pot edibles were reported to the nation's poison control centers over a recent five-year period.

States will be able to request doses of the prescription flu medication Tamiflu kept in the Strategic National Stockpile. The Biden administration is not releasing how many doses will be made available.

Walgreens will limit online orders of children's fever and pain medicine to six items "to help support availability and avoid excess purchases." At CVS stores, purchases will be limited to two.

Pediatric cases of RSV and flu have sent families crowding into ERs, as health systems struggle with staff shortages. In Michigan, only 9 out of more than 130 hospitals have a pediatric ICU.

The U.S. is experiencing an unusual spate of childhood RSV infections. But the critical shortage of beds to treat ailing children stems from structural problems in pediatric care that have been brewing for years.