Clinical Services
In addition to interviewing a sample of caregivers of young children accessing care in Children's HealthWatch medical centers, Children's HealthWatch continuously monitors the medical records of over 30,000 patient-visits per year of children in emergency departments and acute clinics in the participating medical centers. Records are pulled, reviewed and entered on a daily basis into a secure web site system established and maintained by the Boston University School of Public Health's Data Coordinating Center. On a weekly basis, children with weight-for-age less than the fifth percentile (according to NCHS growth Charts) and weight-for-height less than the tenth percentile are 'flagged' by the Data Coordinating Center and the information is provided to the Children's HealthWatch staff at each site. Children's HealthWatch staff evaluate the medical records of these flagged children and notify the child's medical providers or parents of the risk for growth problems.
Children's HealthWatch aims to effectively direct interventions for children at-risk of growth and nutrition problems. Another important goal of Children's HealthWatch is to educate, inform and empower families through specially designed site outreach programs.
Grow Clinics
Boston
Baltimore
Philadelphia
Little Rock
Minneapolis
Resources
Latest Publications:
Energy Insecurity is a Major Threat to Child Health, February 2010
Child Care Feeding Programs Support Young Children's Healthy Development, January 2010
WIC Improves Child Health and School Readiness, January 2010
Rx for Hunger: Affordable Housing, December 2009
Funding Shortfall for Housing Vouchers Could Have Serious Health Consequences for Children, September 2009
Latest Press:
Amy Goldstein
Missing more than a meal
The Washington Post
December 12, 2009
Chris Berdik
Grow Clinic and Food Pantry See Too Many
BU Today
September 28, 2009
Nancy Cole
Study finds lack of food plaguing more families
Arkansas Gazette
May 1, 2009
